Atmospheric pressure plasma deposition of nano-crystalline graphite films on titanium substrates from a predominantly ethanolic liquid phase was carried out under varying applied voltage. A thorough study of the plasma electrolytic deposition mechanisms has been performed. The investigation of the composition, structural properties, and the morphology of these graphite coatings have been performed by visible and ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray elemental microanalysis. The experimental evidence of the reduction of the work function and the enhancement of the plasma intensity with the presence of the carbon film has been reported. These properties make such nano-crystalline graphite coatings very attractive for the production of inexpensive cold cathodes for electronics and plasma devices. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.