Boron-Nitrogen Carbon Nanodot Electrodes With Hexagonal Electrografting

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved electrodes comprising carbon nanodot materials with enhanced capacitance and electrochemiluminescence, as existing methods do not effectively form well-defined nanostructures on electrode surfaces, limiting conductivity and electrochemical performance.

Innovation Solution

A method for preparing boron-nitrogen carbon nanodots with carboxyl and aromatic amine groups, which form hexagonal nanostructures on electrodes through electrografting, creating a porous surface that enhances capacitance and conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional carbon nanodot materials are used on electrodes, then the electrode can be prepared, but the capacitance and electrochemiluminescence are insufficient due to lack of well-defined nanostructures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrochemical performanceVSAvoidnanostructure definition
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of carbon nanodots by incorporating boron and nitrogen heteroatoms in specific ratios, along with surface functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine). This compositional parameter change enables the formation of well-defined hexagonal nanostructures with improved electrochemical performance, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite carbon nanodot materials combining multiple elements (C, B, N, O, H) with specific functional groups. This composite structure forms well-defined hexagonal nanostructures that simultaneously improve nanostructure definition and electrochemical performance, addressing both the manufacturing precision and reliability requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If carbon nanodots are grafted on electrode surface, then conductivity is improved, but the surface area coverage is limited without well-defined structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface area coverageVSAvoidnanostructure organization
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrode surface into well-defined hexagonal nanostructure units. Each hexagon represents an organized cluster of carbon nanodots with specific dimensions and spacing. This segmentation approach maximizes surface area coverage while maintaining precise nanostructure organization, resolving the contradiction between quantity of substance and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If heteroatom doping is performed to adjust electronic structure, then electrochemical properties improve, but the synthesis complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic structure tuningVSAvoidsynthesis process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates boron and nitrogen heteroatoms during the initial carbon nanodot synthesis process rather than through subsequent complex doping procedures. The preliminary incorporation of heteroatoms in the hydrothermal treatment step simplifies the overall synthesis process while achieving the desired electronic structure tuning and improved electrochemical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The boron-nitrogen carbon nanodot electrodes exhibit improved capacitance and electrochemiluminescence due to the formation of well-defined hexagonal nanostructures, providing a larger electrochemical surface area and efficient electron storage.

Implementation Method 1

The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of an electrode by electrografting of the boron-nitrogen carbon nanodot material on the surface of an electrode support consisting essentially of a carbon material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical reduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 2

The boron-nitrogen carbon nanodot electrodes exhibit improved capacitance and electrochemiluminescence due to the formation of well-defined hexagonal nanostructures, providing a larger electrochemical surface area and efficient electron storage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface area enhancement through nanostructure formation:

Implementation Method 3

The invention also relates to the material and electrodes resulting from said methods and to the use of said electrode as electrocatalyst, capacitator or as an electrochemiluminescent sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemiluminescence: Electrochemiluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP4335819A1Boron-nitride carbon nanodot electrodes and process for their preparation
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF MADRID
  • EP4335819A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4335819A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3B
  • EP4335819A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5C

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a boron-carbon doped nanomaterial and to a method for the preparation of an electrode comprising nanostructures of said boron-carbon doped material. The invention also relates to the material and electrodes resulting from said methods and to the use of said electrode as electrocatalyst, capacitator or in an electrochemiluminescent sensor.