New Trend in Photoelectrochemistry using Conductive Diamond Film

我们一直对研究硼掺杂金刚石电极在各种电化学应用中的电化学性能很感兴趣，因为金刚石具有几种独特的电化学性能，如：(1)宽的电化学电位窗口，(2)低背景电流，(3)吸附方面的表面惰性。我们已经证明，金刚石具有潜在的用途，对各种重要的生物分子的电分析，其检测是困难的通常电极，如玻璃碳。为了在生物领域利用这些独特的特性，我们与来自各个专业领域的各种国际科学家合作。波多黎各大学的c . cabrera教授、首尔大学的h . kim教授、罗马尼亚科学院物理化学研究所的n . spataru博士、西弗吉尼亚大学的a . manivannan教授等几位科学家参与了这项合作工作。因此，我们能够成功地拓宽金刚石电极光电化学特性的应用领域。两年来的研究成果如下：我们已经阐明了金刚石的光电化学功能，并成功地利用光生电子的强还原性来驱动电化学反应。由于金刚石的优异性能和人造金刚石的微纳米结构，我们开发了一种高灵敏度的生物样品传感器。我们利用干法蚀刻技术制备了一种蛋白石状结构，研究了金刚石的新功能特性。通过使用甲醇进行基础研究，我们已经证明了纳米结构金刚石在燃料电池中的潜在应用。

We have been interested in investigating the (photo) electrochemical properties of borondoped diamond electrodes for various electrochemical applications, because diamond exhibits several unique electrochemical properties such as (1) wide electrochemical potential window, (2) low background current, and (3) surface inertness in terms of adsorption. We have demonstrated that diamond has potential use for electroanalysis of various biologically significant molecules, whose detection is difficult by usual electrodes like glassy carbon. In order to make use of these unique properties in biological fields, we have collaborated with various international scientists from various specialized fields. Prof.C.Cabrera of Puerto Rico University, Prof.H.Kim of Seoul university, Dr.N.Spataru of the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Romanian Academy, Prof.A.Manivannan of west Virginia University and several other scientists have been involved in this collaborative work. As a result, we were able to successfully widen the field of applications of the photoelectrochemical properties of diamond electrodes. The research results during the past two years are as follows :19991. We have elucidated the photoelectrochemical functions of diamond and successfully made use of strong reduction property of photogenerated electron to drive electrochemical reactions.2. We have developed a highly sensitive sensor for biological samples due to the excellent properties of diamond and fabricated diamond micro- and nanostructures.20001. We have investigated new functional properties of diamond by preparing an opal-shaped structure with dry-etching technique.2. We have demonstrated the potential use of nanostructured diamond for the fuel cell application by performing basic studies using methanol.