Issue 26, 2018

A general strategy to synthesize high-level N-doped porous carbons via Schiff-base chemistry for supercapacitors

Abstract

Recently, the synthesis of porous carbon-based materials, especially those with unique geometry, narrow pore size distribution, large surface area and high nitrogen content, has been highly attractive for widespread applications, but remains a great challenge. Herein, we demonstrate a novel strategy for highly efficient synthesis of high-level N-doped microporous carbon spheres (N-MCSs) based on a very simple Schiff-base reaction of 3,3′-diaminobenzidine and p-phthalaldehyde in ethanol solvent without any catalyst or tedious procedure, followed by a common one-step carbonization–activation process. The N-MCSs exhibit a spherical morphology, regular micropores, high surface areas and high nitrogen contents (up to 8.71 at%). N-MCSs used as supercapacitor electrodes deliver high gravimetric capacitance, good rate capability and cycling stability. More importantly, the synthetic approach can be extended to other Schiff-base systems such as p-phthalaldehyde and p-phenylenediamine or ethylenediamine to fabricate porous carbon-based materials with high nitrogen species, tunable morphology and pore structure. The general strategy presented in this study opens up a new window for heteroatom doping, geometry and structure control, and highlights the great potential of well-developed carbon-based materials for extensive applications.

Graphical abstract: A general strategy to synthesize high-level N-doped porous carbons via Schiff-base chemistry for supercapacitors

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
13 Mar 2018
Accepted
31 May 2018
First published
04 Jun 2018

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018,6, 12334-12343

A general strategy to synthesize high-level N-doped porous carbons via Schiff-base chemistry for supercapacitors

D. Zhu, J. Jiang, D. Sun, X. Qian, Y. Wang, L. Li, Z. Wang, X. Chai, L. Gan and M. Liu, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018, 6, 12334 DOI: 10.1039/C8TA02341G

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements