Salt-confinement enables production of nitrogen-doped porous carbons in an air oven

Abstract

The production of nitrogen-doped porous carbons in an air oven at 750 °C with high surface area (≥500 m² g⁻¹), carbonization yield up to 35 wt% and tuneable nitrogen content from ionic liquids was reported. It utilized inorganic halide salts as the reaction medium, the activation agents, and the physical barrier. This method was successfully expanded to recyclable sea salt and natural sources, such as nucleobase (adenine) and biomass (oak leaves).