Investigation of the protective properties of a subnanometer diamond-like carbon film

The influence of diamond-like carbon coatings on the corrosion resistance of zirconium is investigated. Zirconium films with a thickness of 20 nm and different thicknesses of carbon protective films are examined. The chemical state of atoms on the surface is characterized using the measured photoelectron, electron energy loss, and Auger electron spectra. The results obtained demonstrate that the diamond-like carbon coating with a thickness of approximately 1 nm almost completely protects the metal film against oxidation. These protective properties of the diamond-like carbon coatings are explained by their high chemical inertness and uniformity over the thickness.