Nanoporous boron-doped diamond produced by a combination of high-energy ion irradiation and anodization

Abstract

A wide electrochemical window makes boron-doped diamond (BDD) a promising electrode material. To utilize its excellent properties, nanopore formation on the surface to increase the specific surface area is highly desirable. Although anodization has the potential to produce nanoporous structures on the surface of materials, BDD has yet to be anodized due to its high physical and chemical stability. Here, we report that high-energy Si(II) ion irradiation forms sp2 defects, which enable the anodization of BDD, and demonstrate that this anodization results in the formation of nanoporous BDD.