A progress review on diamond–like carbon film by electrodeposition technique; current status and challenges

Synthesizing diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films through the electrodeposition technique has remained an elusive goal for researchers, evident from the numerous attempts to use different organic solvents over the past three decades. The main objective is to establish an affordable and efficient route for DLC synthesis, as an alternative to vacuum-based methods. This approach holds both theoretical significance, such as exploring the CH-O phase diagram, and practical importance due to its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and simplified experimental setup. Furthermore, electrodeposition offers superior control over uniform film deposition on large surface areas and complex geometries. Given the enormous potential and unique properties, the electrodeposition technique has captivated researchers from various scientific communities. Surprisingly, since the pioneering concept of electrodeposition from solution for the production of diamond thin films in 1992, no comprehensive review has been published exploring the potential of electrodeposition for synthesizing amorphous or diamond-like carbon films. The present article aims to bridge this gap by providing a landscape of the progress, ongoing activities, and future endeavors in the realm of diamond-like amorphous carbon films synthesized through electrodeposition. This review seeks to be authoritative, comprehensive, and accessible to a wide audience within the chemistry, physics, material science, nanoscience, and nanotechnology communities, especially those involved in electrochemistry, electrodeposition, and related fields.