“In situ” hexagonal nanostructures surface growth from boron-carbon nanodots

In this work, we have developed a method for generating nanopatterns based on hexagonal nanostructures grown “ in situ” on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surfaces. For this purpose, carbon nanodots doped with nitrogen and boron have been synthesized. The electrografting of the diazotized carbon nanodots has allowed the formation of hexagonal nanostructures, depending on the number of cyclic voltammetry reduction scans applied. Atomic Force Microscopy, Raman microscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy have characterized the resulting nanopatterned surface. The new hexagonal-nanopatterned surface presents high capacitance, highlighting its potential application for the development of energy storage devices such as electric double-layer capacitors