The surface properties and the electrochem. behavior of a fluorinated B-doped diamond (F-BDD) electrode prepd. by plasma treatment in CF4-He mixt. was studied by XPS and cyclic voltammetry in acidic media. The results showed C-F bonding (C-CF and C-F) on the surface of F-BDD, which made the surface more hydrophobic. Also hydrogen evolution was shifted to more cathodic potentials for fluorinated diamond, as compared with untreated BDD. Finally, the higher cathodic overpotential for hydrogen evolution permitted Ni deposition and nitrate redn. [on SciFinder (R)]