Nitrogen incorporation onto HOPG was carried out by RF N2 plasma and N2+ implantation.
Chemical state analyses of the modified HOPG surface were compared by in-situ XPS.
Formation of chemical bonding states are influenced by the process of nitridation.
N+ implantation process resulted in a high level of defects to the uppermost surface.
RF N2 plasma process incorporated stable nitrogen species with less surface defects.