Surface Treatment of Boron Doped Diamond by Atmospheric-Pressure Nitrogen Plasma Jet: Effects on the Electrochemical Characteristics

Abstract

An atmospheric-pressure nitrogen plasma jet (APN2PJ) treatment for conductive borondoped diamond (BDD) electrode is reported for the first time. APN2PJ is a unique technique that can generate NH and nitrogen-related radicals at high density even under atmospheric pressure. These radicals attacked BDD, changing its surface morphology and introducing nitrogen doping as far as inner part of BDD. In addition, "sediments" appeared on the surface after APN2PJ treatment. The specific capacitance of BDD was increased after APN2PJ treatment. Furthermore, a further increase in the specific capacity was observed after sonication of the treated samples, which might be related to the disappearance of these "sediments".