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Unusual Electrochemical Properties of Low-Doped Boron-Doped Diamond Electrodes Containing sp2 Carbon

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2020-01-13
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
AuthorsJing Xu, Yasuyuki Yokota, Raymond A. Wong, Yousoo Kim, Yasuaki Einaga
InstitutionsKeio University, RIKEN
Citations121

Unexpected phenomena displayed by low-boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes are disclosed in the present work. Generally, the presence of sp<sup>2</sup> nondiamond carbon impurities in BDD electrodes causes undesirable electrochemical properties, such as a reduced potential window and increased background current, etc. However, we found that the potential window and redox reaction in normally doped (1%) BDD and low-doped (0.1%) BDD exhibited opposite tendencies depending on the extent of sp<sup>2</sup> carbon. Moreover, we found that contrary to the usual expectations, low-doped BDD containing sp<sup>2</sup> carbon hinders electron transfer, whereas in line with expectations, normally doped BDD containing sp<sup>2</sup> exhibits enhanced electron transfer. Surface analyses by X-ray/ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS/UPS) and electrochemical methods are utilized to explain these unusual phenomena. This work indicates that the electrochemical properties of low-doped BDD containing sp<sup>2</sup> might be due partially to the high level of surface oxygen, the large work function, the low carrier density, and the existence of different types of sp<sup>2</sup> carbon.

  1. 2005 - Diamond Electrochemistry