title: Laser ablation synthesis of new gold carbides. From gold-diamond nano-composite as a precursor to gold-doped diamonds. Time-of-flight mass spectrometric study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gold carbides can be produced via laser ablation synthesis (LAS) from mixtures of nano-gold (NG) and various carbonaceous materials. The nano-composite of nano-gold (NG) and nano-diamond (ND) might represent a promising precursor for the generation of new gold carbides.
  
  
  METHODS
  Time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used. The stoichiometry of clusters was determined via modelling of the isotopic patterns and MS(n) analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A simple procedure for the preparation of ND-NG nano-composite was developed using NG and ND. The formation of AuCn(+) (n = 1-11, 18), Au2Cn(+) (n = 1-16) and Au3Cn(+) (n = 1-10) clusters during LAS of the nano-composite was proved. Structures of gold carbides are proposed and discussed. Diamonds-containing AumCn(+) (m = 1-3, n = 10, 14, 18, 22) clusters might be not carbides but endohedral supramolecular complexes Aum@Cn(+) i.e., 'gold-doped' diamonds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TOF MS was shown to be a useful technique for following the formation of gold carbides in the gas phase. Clusters and 'gold-doped' diamonds generated might inspire synthesis of new Au-C materials with hardly predictable, unusual properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kampus Bohunice, Kamenice 5/A14, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Physical Electronics, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic; CEPLANT, R&D Centre for Low-cost Plasma and Nanotechnology Surface Modifications, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Havel
authors.forename: Eladia Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Peña-Méndez
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: Nagender Reddy
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Panyala
authors.forename: Vilma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Buršíková