Defect and Support-Driven Reactivity in Graphene and Boron Nitride: Unveiling Chemical Pathways in Heterogeneous Catalysis and Electrocatalysis

Graphene and hexagonal Boron Nitride possesses exceptional chemical and physical properties. Recent experimental results demonstrate that they are not really chemically inert: defects—such as vacancies, heteroatom doping, structural distortions and domain edges— and interaction with reactive supports such as Ni can significantly enhance their chemical reactivity. New and until now largely unexplored chemical pathways open at interface opening new avenues for materials design in nanotechnology, heterogeneous catalysis and Electrocatalysis. Understanding the interplay between defect engineering and surface interactions is becoming crucial for harnessing the full potential of 2d Materials in applied and fundamental research.



This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of defect and support-driven chemical reactivity in graphene and boron nitride. By bringing together insights from experimental and computational studies, we seek to elucidate how the introduction of vacancies, heteroatoms, edges and other defects modulate the interfacial chemistry, electronic structure, and catalytic properties of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride. We are particularly interested in research that leverages cutting-edge characterization techniques, such as Near Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy and state of the art theoretical simulations to gain insight into the reaction paths. Furthermore, we aspire to foster a collaborative discussion on how engineered defects in graphene and boron nitride can unlock novel reaction pathways—such as CO and CO2 methanation or oxidative propane dehydrogenation - and contribute new functionalities relevant to energy conversion, sensor technology, and the broader field of surface science and electrochemistry.



We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:

• Design and synthesis of defect-engineered graphene and h-BN/metal systems

• Advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques for defect characterization and chemical analysis

• Computational modeling of defect structures, of the catalyst support interaction and their chemical reactivity in heterogenous catalysis and in electrocatalysis.

• Exploration of novel adsorbate interactions, catalytic processes, and surface reactions facilitated by defects and by the interaction with the support.

• Applications of defect-modified graphene and h-BN in catalysis, electrochemistry and sensing.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Graphene, boron nitride, heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis, DFT

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.