  Two different types of boron-doped graphene/copper interfaces synthesized
using two different flow rates of Ar through the bubbler containing the boron
source were studied. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and optically stimulated
electron emission (OSEE) measurements have demonstrated that boron-doped
graphene coating provides a high corrosion resistivity of Cu-substrate with the
light traces of the oxidation of carbon cover. The density functional theory
calculations suggest that for the case of substitutional (graphitic)
boron-defect only the oxidation near boron impurity is energetically favorable
and creation of the vacancies that can induce the oxidation of copper substrate
is energetically unfavorable. In the case of non-graphitic boron defects
oxidation of the area, a nearby impurity is metastable that not only prevent
oxidation but makes boron-doped graphene. Modeling of oxygen reduction reaction
demonstrates high catalytic performance of these materials.
