Incorporation of Boron Atoms on Graphene Grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition Using Triisopropyl Borate as a Single Precursor

We synthesized single-layer graphene from a liquid precursor (triisopropyl borate) using a chemical vapor deposition. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements were used for the characterization of the samples. We investigated the effects of the processing temperature and time, as well as the vapor pressure of the precursor. The B1s core-level XPS spectra revealed the presence of boron atoms incorporated into substitutional sites. This result, corroborated by the observed upshift of both G and 2D bands in the Raman spectra, suggests the p-doping of single-layer graphene for the samples prepared at 1000°C and pressures in the range of 75 to 25 mTorr of the precursor vapor. Our results show that, in optimum conditions for single-layer graphene growth, that is, 1000°C and 75 mTorr for 5 minutes, we obtained samples presenting the coexistence of pristine graphene with regions of boron-doped graphene

Adhesion between graphene and polymers: A surface analysis perspective

Efficient adhesion between polymers and two-dimensional materials, such as graphene, is fundamental and crucial for the development of flexible devices or special coating materials as well as defining the quality of the transfer processes for these materials. Here, contact angle (CA) measurements of four distinct polymers, low-density polyethylene – LDPE, polypropylene – PP, poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) – PBAT and poly (vinylidene-fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) – PVDF-TrFE, and graphene achieved by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) were used to understand the adhesion phenomena between such materials. The CA measurements were carried out at specific thermal conditions mimicking a transfer process that is based on direct contact of CVD graphene and polymers above their melting temperature (Direct Dry Transfer – DDT). Surface analysis allowed the efficiency of such transfer method to be pre-estimated owing to an understanding of the adhesion properties of both materials by comparing their polar and dispersive components values. However, rheological properties and chemical structures seemed to be equally important in this evaluation, either by molecular weight modification or introduction of chemical groups onto the surface of polymer films. The results allowed for an understanding of the role of the main factors in adhesion phenomena between graphene and polymers and how they can be used to improve graphene coating during transfer processes

Characterization of nitrogen doped graphene bilayers synthesized by fast, low temperature microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition

New techniques to manipulate the electronic properties of few layer 2D materials, unveiling new physical phenomena as well as possibilities for new device applications have brought renewed interest to these systems. Therefore, the quest for reproducible methods for the large scale synthesis, as well as the manipulation, characterization and deeper understanding of these structures is a very active field of research. We here report the production of nitrogen doped bilayer graphene in a fast single step (2.5 minutes), at reduced temperatures (760 °C) using microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MW-PECVD). Raman spectroscopy confirmed that nitrogen-doped bilayer structures were produced by this method. XPS analysis showed that we achieved control of the concentration of nitrogen dopants incorporated into the final samples. We have performed state of the art parameter-free simulations to investigate the cause of an unexpected splitting of the XPS signal as the concentration of nitrogen defects increased. We show that this splitting is due to the formation of interlayer bonds mediated by nitrogen defects on the layers of the material. The occurrence of these bonds may result in very specific electronic and mechanical properties of the bilayer structures

Incorporation of boron atoms on graphene grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition using Triisopropyl Borate as a single precursor

We synthesized single-layer graphene from a liquid precursor (triisopropyl borate) using a chemical vapor deposition. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements were used for the characterization of the samples. We investigated the effects of the processing temperature and time, as well as the vapor pressure of the precursor. The B1s core-level XPS spectra revealed the presence of boron atoms incorporated into substitutional sites. This result, corroborated by the observed upshift of both G and 2D bands in the Raman spectra, suggests the p-doping of single-layer graphene for the samples prepared at 1000 18C and pressures in the range of 75 to 25mTorr of the precursor vapor. Our results show that, in optimum conditions for single-layer graphene growth, that is, 1000 18C and 75mTorr for 5minutes, we obtained samples presenting the coexistence of pristine graphene with regions of boron-doped graphene

Tailored surface structure of LiFePO4/C nanofibers by phosphidation and their electrochemical superiority for lithium rechargeable batteries

We offer a brand new strategy for enhancing Li ion transport at the surface of LiFePO4/C nanofibers through noble Li ion conducting pathways built along reduced carbon webs by phosphorus. Pristine LiFePO4/C nanofibers composed of 1-dimensional (1D) LiFePO4 nanofibers with thick carbon coating layers on the surfaces of the nanofibers were prepared by the electrospinning technique. These dense and thick carbon layers prevented not only electrolyte penetration into the inner LiFePO4 nanofibers but also facile Li ion transport at the electrode/electrolyte interface. In contrast, the existing strong interactions between the carbon and oxygen atoms on the surface of the pristine LiFePO4/C nanofibers were weakened or partly broken by the adhesion of phosphorus, thereby improving Li ion migration through the thick carbon layers on the surfaces of the LiFePO4 nanofibers. As a result, the phosphidated LiFePO4/C nanofibers have a higher initial discharge capacity and a greatly improved rate capability when compared with pristine LiFePO4/C nanofibers. Our findings of high Li ion transport induced by phosphidation can be widely applied to other carbon-coated electrode materials.close2