Choi, Go Bong Park, Jieun Hong, Seung ki Choi, Jueun Seo, Tae Hoon Kim, Hyungwoo Kim, Yoong Ahm 2024-01-12T02:32:35Z 2024-01-12T02:32:35Z 2023-01-19 2023-02 0008-6223 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/75818 During thermal treatment of carbon materials, unstable edge sites can easily convert to structurally stable loop structures. Hence, in the present work, carbon edges are physically passivated via high-temperature treatment in the presence of boron atoms to accelerate loop formation. The highly accelerated loop formation, along with stacking multi-layers at the carbon edges, is systematically investigated via high resolution transmission electron micro microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The boron-added carbon nanofibers (CNFs) at high temperature exhibit a greatly enhanced electrical conductivity due to the high mobility of boron atoms within the carbon structure. In particular, engineering of the loop structures on the carbon edges can alter the overall electrocatalytic activities of the carbon-based materials, as demonstrated in the reductive conversion of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This work not only suggests suitable methods for carbon edge passivation, but also opens up a route towards the advanced design of high-stability carbon materials in various fields. English Pergamon Press Ltd. Loops at carbon edges: Boron-assisted passivation and tunable surface properties of carbon nanofibers Article 10.1016/j.carbon.2023.01.010 1 Carbon, v.204, pp.587 - 593 Carbon 204 587 593 N scie scopus 000925158100001 Chemistry, Physical Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Chemistry Materials Science Article METAL-FREE ELECTROCATALYSTS HYDROGEN EVOLUTION REACTION CATALYTIC GRAPHITIZATION DOPED GRAPHENE NITROGEN ENERGY PLATINUM ATOMS Carbon nanofibers Loop formation Edge passivation Catalytic reduction reaction Hydrogen evolution reaction