A tungsten-carbide gradient coating (WCGC) was prepared by reactive sputtering as an intermediate layer on the cemented carbide, WC-13 wt.% Co, substrate to improve the nucleation, smoothness and adhesion of diamond film. The diamond film was deposited by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD). The effects of the substrate temperature on the WCGC and the diamond film were investigated. The characterization of the WCGC and the diamond films was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), micro-Raman spectroscopy and Rockwell hardness indentation. It is found that the WCGC plays an important role in improving the nucleation, smoothness and adhesion of diamond film; and the diamond films exhibit better quality and adhesion as substrate temperature increases during the CVD processes. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.