Waste-Derived Green N-Doped Materials: Mechanistic Insights, Synthesis, and Comprehensive Evaluation

Abstract

Nitrogen (N)-doped materials derived from biomass hold great promise for energy storage, gas adsorption, catalysis, and water treatment, offering an effective strategy for waste valorization. Precise control over temperature and nitrogen doping levels has been shown to enhance surface area and multifunctional properties. This review begins by covering fundamental principles such as band gap and electronegativity, followed by an analysis of N-doping preparation methods, focusing on pyridinic N, graphitic N, and oxidized N and the applications especially in in energy storage, carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, and catalyst for hydrogen generation. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are explored to elucidate the structural and electrochemical properties of N-doped materials. This review seeks to advance the sustainable development of waste-derived green materials by conducting a comprehensive comparative analysis of material activation and carbonization mechanisms. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges, perspectives, and future prospects of waste valorization for green N-doped materials, exploring their potential across diverse applications.