Quantitative and Indirect Qualitative Analysis Approach for Nanodiamond Using SEM Images and Raman Response

Abstract

In the era of nanotechnology, one of the material which seems to be in the forefront, in terms of its application in medical domain is nanocarbon. Various forms of nanocarbon including, carbon nanotubes, nanostructured graphite, nanodiamond, nanowalls, nanocluster carbon, diamond like carbon (DLC) and tetrahedral amorphous carbon(taC) are being studied, for different biomedical applications includes Vacuum based X-ray source, Tribology coating for joints or surgical, Micro/Nano Elcecto Mechanical System (MEMS /NEMS) and Biosensor. Study of nanodiamond grown with Hot Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition(HFCVD) process with various CH4/H2 condition indicates various morphological and compositional properties. The surface based morphology are studied with SEM images provides visual information's. Studied compositional variation using nondestructive and instantaneous approach using Raman response. Reported the mechanism of deposition and the influence of the deposition parameters in terms on the morphology and composition. Designed an insitu applicable software approach for SEM images analysis. The images are initially segmented for enhancing the cluster regions on the substrate and each individual clusters are labeled. Generated histogram using the area estimated for each cluster and analysed it quantitatively. The Raman and SEM based analysis evaluates cluster dimensions, distribution and provides quantitative and indirect qualitative information for evaluating the nanodiamond. © International Federation of Medical and Biological Engineering 2009.