Carbon Letters最新文献

{"title":"Effects of nitrogen functional groups and pore structure on high-affinity dye adsorption by plasma-treated activated carbon pellets","authors":"Min Seong Han,&nbsp;Woong Kwon,&nbsp;Youngbin Baek,&nbsp;Euigyung Jeong,&nbsp;Byong Chol Bai","doi":"10.1007/s42823-026-01069-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42823-026-01069-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Expanding dye use elevates ecological risks by increasing dye-contaminated wastewater discharge. Cationic dyes resist removal owing to high stability and toxicity, but activated carbon adsorption remains an efficient and economical treatment. In this study, we examine methylene blue (MB) removal using activated carbon prepared from petroleum pitch through KOH activation, followed by nitrogen plasma treatment for 5, 10, 15, and 30 min. To characterize the surface chemistry and porosity of the nitrogen-functionalized carbon, we employed elemental analysis (EA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and N₂ adsorption–desorption (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, BET) measurements. Batch adsorption tests were conducted at MB concentrations of 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mg L⁻¹. The nitrogen plasma treatment increased the surface nitrogen content (from 0.44% to 1.94% depending on the treatment conditions) and enhanced MB adsorption performance. Equilibrium data were fitted using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models; the Freundlich model showed a better correlation, indicating multilayer adsorption on a heterogeneous surface and suggesting that plasma-introduced nitrogen sites provided additional adsorption sites.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":506,"journal":{"name":"Carbon Letters","volume":"36 2","pages":"1075 - 1083"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deformation-free circular fibers derived from aqueous reduced graphene oxide for high-performance fiber supercapacitors","authors":"Oh Sung Kwon,&nbsp;Hye Jung Lee,&nbsp;Byeong Guk Kim,&nbsp;Dong Gyun Hong,&nbsp;Ki-Hun Nam,&nbsp;Sunhye Yang,&nbsp;Youngbin Baek,&nbsp;Je In Lee,&nbsp;Seung Yol Jeong","doi":"10.1007/s42823-026-01060-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42823-026-01060-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Solution-processed graphene fibers are commonly fabricated by wet spinning of a liquid-crystalline (LC) graphene oxide (GO) dope, owing to the homogeneous aqueous dispersion of GO, strong hydrogen bonding, and nematic self-assembly. A straightforward route has thus been established for the formation of graphene fibers. However, during coagulation and subsequent chemical reduction, GO sheets consolidate into densely stacked fiber architectures, which often develop geometric non-uniformity due to anisotropic shrinkage during solvent exchange and reduction. Following chemical reduction, restacking and structural deformation occur, leading to the formation of large voids and ion-inaccessible volumes that reduce the ion-accessible surface area, thereby limiting their applicability in high-performance supercapacitors. Herein, deformation-free circular graphene fibers (GFs) are introduced via wet spinning using a hybrid ammonia-based graphene oxide (AGO)–reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite dope. The AGO precursor preserves the intrinsic LC assembly characteristics of GO while offering improved dispersion stability and tunable intersheet interactions. The rGO component is engineered to retain stable aqueous dispersibility, enabling homogeneous co-dispersion with AGO sheets. Incorporation of rGO suppresses excessive LC-driven stacking and moderates solvent–coagulant exchange during extrusion, enabling rapid and homogeneous coagulation. In contrast to the layered architecture derived from conventional GO spinning, the rGO-rich hybrid fibers exhibit uniformly organized porous structures with effective pore sites. The mechanically rigid and chemically stable rGO forms a percolated structural framework that supports homogeneous electrical conductivity and mechanical strength while preserving high circularity with axial and radial uniformity. Consequently, the optimized AGO–rGO fibers exhibit enhanced electrical conductivity (567 S cm^–1 after post-drawing) and improved electrochemical capacitance, demonstrating strong potential for high-performance fiber-shaped or wearable supercapacitors.</p><h3>Graphic abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture><span>The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.</span></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":506,"journal":{"name":"Carbon Letters","volume":"36 2","pages":"1061 - 1073"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Design of F-doped (text{CoS}_2@text{C}) with void structure as a high-performance anode for lithium-ion battery","authors":"Eunseon Chae,&nbsp;In Woo Lee,&nbsp;Seongjae Myeong,&nbsp;Minah Kang,&nbsp;Bo Kyoung Kim,&nbsp;Tae-Sung Bae,&nbsp;Young-Seak Lee","doi":"10.1007/s42823-026-01053-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42823-026-01053-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>CoS₂ is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high theoretical capacity. However, its practical application is hampered by severe volume expansion during cycling. In this study, fluorine-doped carbon-coated CoS₂ (F-CoS₂@C) was synthesized via NaCl template-assisted carbon coating using petroleum-derived pyrolyzed fuel oil, followed by CF₄ plasma treatment. The proposed method of synthesis enables control of the carbon layer thickness, formation of a void structure, and introduction of fluorine functional groups. F–CoS₂@C delivered 295 mAh/g at 5 A/g and retained 375 mAh/g after 500 cycles at 1 A/g. The enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to the void carbon structure and fluorine-induced interfacial stabilization. The carbon structure increased electrolyte penetration and electrical conductivity, and mitigated volume changes. Fluorine doping promoted the formation of a LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase layer and enhanced the electronic transport by semi-ionic C-F bonds. This study offers a promising strategy for the development of transition metal sulfide/carbon composites as high-performance LIB anodes.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":506,"journal":{"name":"Carbon Letters","volume":"36 2","pages":"1049 - 1060"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electron transport channel-mediated Z-type α-MnO2/Cd1.7In2S4.7 heterojunction for photocatalytic conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-dicarbonylfuran","authors":"Yuwei Liang,&nbsp;Yufan Huang,&nbsp;Chunling Hu,&nbsp;Jinyu Cai,&nbsp;Yifan Cao,&nbsp;Guihua Meng,&nbsp;Jianning Wu,&nbsp;Qi Li,&nbsp;Zhiyong Liu","doi":"10.1007/s42823-025-01010-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42823-025-01010-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Designing catalysts with suitable valence conduction band positions to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) with moderate redox capacity is to achieve efficient photocatalytic biomass-selective value-added oxidation. This protocol addresses the issue by tuning material structural defects, altering the surface electronic structure, and ultimately enhancing the raw material’s performance. Here, an appropriate amount of one - dimensional nanorods <i>α</i>-MnO₂ adjusted material structural defects, increased the adsorbed oxygen (O_ads)/lattice oxygen (O_latt) and Mn³⁺ ratios, and served as an electron transport conduit, facilitating O₂ activation to generate ROS. The Cd_1.7In₂S_4.7 solid solution enables the optimal valence band position by adjusting the Cd²⁺: In³⁺ ratio, thus selectively oxidizing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-dicarbonylfuran (DFF). In <i>situ</i> XPS revealed that photogenerated electrons in Cd_1.7In₂S_4.7 quickly transferred to the conduction band of <i>α</i>-MnO₂, and photogenerated holes from <i>α</i>-MnO₂ moved to the valence band of Cd_1.7In₂S_4.7. This significantly enhanced the separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated carriers at the interface. The optimal sample achieved 56% conversion of HMF and 72% selectivity of DFF under simulated sunlight. This protocol provides a new approach for the establishment of electron transport channel structures based on <i>α</i>-MnO₂ constructs and value-added biomass photocatalytic conversion under simulated sunlight.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":506,"journal":{"name":"Carbon Letters","volume":"36 2","pages":"705 - 719"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"AI-driven strategies for the design and functionalization of carbon nanotubes: a critical review","authors":"Mohammad Mohammadi,&nbsp;Yousef Bazargan Lari,&nbsp;Farhang Daneshmand,&nbsp;Seyed Mohammad Reza Nazemosadat","doi":"10.1007/s42823-025-01001-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42823-025-01001-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and carbon nanotube (CNT) chemistry is accelerating innovations in the synthesis, functionalization, and advanced applications of carbon-based nanomaterials. This review highlights recent AI-driven methodologies, including neural networks, ensemble learning, metaheuristics, and hybrid frameworks that are redefining the design, surface engineering, and structure–property relationships of CNTs. Special attention is given to their roles in clean energy technologies, polymer nanocomposites, environmental systems, and nanoelectronics. Advances such as autonomous synthesis guided by deep learning, high-throughput experimentation, and AI-enabled property prediction are critically reviewed. Challenges including data fragmentation, class imbalance, and lack of benchmarking are addressed, alongside future directions such as physics-informed machine learning, robotics integration, and multi-objective optimization. This review positions AI as a disruptive catalyst in advanced CNT research, offering intelligent automation and predictive insights across diverse carbon-material applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":506,"journal":{"name":"Carbon Letters","volume":"36 2","pages":"547 - 577"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficient covalent functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a flow reactor","authors":"Taehoon Kang,&nbsp;Chae Yeon Park,&nbsp;Wonho Cho,&nbsp;Seungjun Lee,&nbsp;Byung Hwa Seo,&nbsp;Ye-Jin Hwang","doi":"10.1007/s42823-026-01047-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42823-026-01047-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), widely recognized for their excellent electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, have gained significant attention across various fields. However, aggregation due to their high Van der Waals force limits their processability and applications. Surface functionalization can offer a solution to these limitations and broadens their potential uses. Nevertheless, the low reaction rates of covalent functionalization in conventional batch reactors, caused by MWCNT aggregation, remain a significant challenge to overcome. Moreover, controlling the degree of functionalization in batch reactors is difficult. In this work, we demonstrated covalent functionalization of MWCNT with 4-bromoaniline to produce MWCNT-PhBr with high, controllable degrees of functionalization, using a customized packed-bed flow reactor. The reaction was performed under various conditions, including the reactant injection sequence, reaction time (1–3 h), temperature (60–80 ℃), and concentration of reactant (0.42–1.72 M). The resulting degree of functionalization was controlled within the range of 1.81–5.70 wt%. Notably, the highest degree of functionalization obtained under the optimized flow conditions (5.70 wt% at 70 °C and 1.72 M) represents a 2.11-fold increase compared to that achieved under the optimized batch conditions (2.70 wt% at 60 °C and 0.86 M). These results suggest that the flow system is an efficient and reliable method for synthesizing functionalized MWCNTs with the desired functional group content.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":506,"journal":{"name":"Carbon Letters","volume":"36 2","pages":"997 - 1006"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable ibuprofen degradation using eco-friendly CQDs/TiO2 nanocomposites from banana peels waste","authors":"Maisari Utami,&nbsp;Is Sholidhyawati,&nbsp;Muhammad Miqdam Musawwa,&nbsp;Karna Wijaya,&nbsp;Sung Su Kim,&nbsp;Murugesan Chandrasekaran,&nbsp;Debnath Ovi,&nbsp;Saud Alarifi","doi":"10.1007/s42823-026-01031-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42823-026-01031-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Pharmaceutical waste directly contributes to environmental pollution. Ibuprofen is one of the pharmaceutical wastes that often ends up in the environment without proper treatment, causing various harmful effects. Here, carbon quantum dots/titanium dioxide (CQDs/TiO₂) nanocomposites synthesis as a photocatalyst for ibuprofen photodegradation has been investigated. This research consists of 3 steps: the first was initiated with CQD synthesis using the hydrothermal method derived from banana peel extract, followed by the synthesis of TiO₂ rutile and anatase with banana peel extract as the reducing agent. The last was CQDs/TiO₂ nanocomposites synthesis using a hydrothermal method. The CQDs/TiO₂ nanocomposites obtained were characterized by TEM, FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Bright green fluorescence of CQDs was observed under UV irradiation with a average size of 9.5 nm. The nanocomposite of CQD/TiO₂ rutile and CQD/TiO₂ anatase exhibited crystalline structures, each displaying a diffraction pattern of rutile and anatase, indicating high purity. However, CQDs/TiO₂ anatase has a smaller size of 8 nm than CQD/TiO₂ rutile of 132 nm. Therefore, the CQDs/TiO₂ anatase nanocomposite showed the most effectiveness as a photocatalyst in degrading ibuprofen, with a photodegradation percentage of up to 53.656% at pH 3, a slight photocatalyst mass of 0.1 g, and a short photodegradation time of 30 min.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":506,"journal":{"name":"Carbon Letters","volume":"36 2","pages":"823 - 839"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fast-charging natural graphite anodes: synergistic effects of optimized spheronization and TLE-tailored pitch coating","authors":"Seung-Jae Ha,&nbsp;Hyocheol Lee,&nbsp;Changkyu Kim,&nbsp;Min-Seong Jo,&nbsp;Taehyeon Kim,&nbsp;Jin-Yong Hong,&nbsp;Young-Pyo Jeon","doi":"10.1007/s42823-026-01048-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42823-026-01048-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used as key components in electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS) owing to their high energy density, long cycle life, and stable operation. The rapid expansion of the EV market has intensified the demand for advanced graphite anode materials that combine cost competitiveness with superior electrochemical performance, including fast-charging capability and structural stability. This study presents an integrated approach for optimizing the physical spheronization of natural graphite and synthesizing a high-performance coating pitch (CP) for chemical spheronization. The correlation between mechanical stress and morphological evolution during the process was quantitatively analyzed using an Air Classifier Mill (ACM). Optimal spheronization was achieved by aligning theoretically calculated stress levels (≈ 3.72 MPa for particle rounding and &gt; 14.86 MPa for fracture) with experimental results. High-performance coating pitches were prepared via stepwise polymerization of pyrolysis fuel oil (PFO), followed by Thin Layer Evaporation (TLE)-based molecular weight distribution tailoring. The resulting pitch exhibited a softening point of 279.4 °C, coking value of 70.7%, and zero quinoline insoluble (QI) content, and was applied as a coating precursor. The optimized spheronized graphite anode showed excellent electrochemical properties, including an initial Coulombic efficiency of 92.6% and 97.4% capacity retention after 50 cycles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) analyses further confirmed efficient lithium-ion diffusion at both the surface and core, demonstrating suitability for fast-charging LIB applications.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture><span>The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.</span></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":506,"journal":{"name":"Carbon Letters","volume":"36 2","pages":"1007 - 1027"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparation and properties of NFG-based composites synergistically regulated by MCMB and SG","authors":"Mingmin Liu,&nbsp;Haihua WU,&nbsp;Liang Gong,&nbsp;Hualong Zhang,&nbsp;Shiyu Zeng,&nbsp;Aodong Gao,&nbsp;Siwei Li,&nbsp;Shixiong Deng,&nbsp;Xicong Ye,&nbsp;Lei Xing,&nbsp;Yihao Chen","doi":"10.1007/s42823-026-01030-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42823-026-01030-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The rapid development of electronic devices towards higher power density and miniaturization, has made heat dissipation a critical challenge that limits their reliability and lifespan. This study presents the preparation of natural flake graphite (NFG)-based composites, synergistically modulated by intermediate-phase carbon microspheres (MCMB) and spherical graphite (SG), via micro-hot pressing 3D additive molding technology. This innovative approach addresses the limitations of traditional metal-based heat dissipation materials. The pore structure and properties of the composites were optimized by varying the contents of MCMB and spherical graphite. The results demonstrated that the composites exhibited superior overall performance when 40 wt% MCMB and 20 wt% SG were incorporated. The compressive strength significantly increased to 32.71 MPa, while the thermal conductivity in the parallel and perpendicular directions reached 351.08 W/(m·K) and 296.16 W/(m·K), respectively, and the anisotropy ratio was reduced to 1.18. Mechanistic analysis revealed that MCMB reduced anisotropy by disrupting the orientation of the NFG lamellae, while SG optimized the pore structure and established a multistage thermal conductivity pathway. The synergistic effects of both components resulted in a unified material with high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, and strong mechanical properties, offering a novel solution for the thermal management of electronic devices.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":506,"journal":{"name":"Carbon Letters","volume":"36 2","pages":"805 - 822"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhanced anti-corrosion performance of copper doped diamond-like carbon thin films","authors":"Mohd Sarim Khan,&nbsp;C. Sasikumar,&nbsp;Sanjay Srivastava","doi":"10.1007/s42823-026-01050-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42823-026-01050-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This work evaluated the microstructural, electrochemical and anti-corrosion properties of Cu-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings deposited using the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique. The coatings were synthesized with varying Cu concentrations (0.68, 2.25,10.28, 22.32, and 40.1 at.%) to investigate their effect on film characteristics. The structural and chemical composition of the coatings was analysed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical performance was evaluated using open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentio dynamic polarization (PP) tests in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The XPS and Raman analysis revealed that Cu incorporation altered the sp²/sp³ hybridization ratio, increasing graphitization at higher concentrations. The results demonstrated that DLC-Cu₂.₂₅ exhibited the lowest surface roughness (Ra = 7 nm), enhancing its corrosion resistance due to its dense, uniform structure and passivating CuO layer. The electrochemical results showed that the corrosion potential shifted towards a more noble direction (-640 mV), and the corrosion rate decreased to 0.003 mm/year, confirming improved stability. However, at higher Cu concentrations, Cu segregation led to increased roughness (Ra = 30 nm) and localized corrosion due to the formation of Cu-rich clusters. Incorporation of Cu improves the corrosion resistance of DLC coatings, although at higher Cu levels some corrosion still occurs. These findings highlight that moderate Cu incorporation optimally enhances protective performance, whereas excessive Cu content compromises corrosion resistance. A mechanistic description of the corrosion-resistance behaviour of Cu-DLC coatings is proposed.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":506,"journal":{"name":"Carbon Letters","volume":"36 2","pages":"1029 - 1047"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147752544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}