Template-mediated strategy to regulate hierarchically nitrogen--sulfur co-doped porous carbon as superior anode material for lithium capacity

Abstract

Considering its rapid lithiation/delithiation process and robust capacitive energy storage, hierarchical porous carbon is regarded as a promising candidate for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, it remains a great challenge to construct a porous structure and prevent structure stacking for carbon-based materials. Herein, a template-mediated approach is developed to synthesize hierarchical nitrogen–sulfur co-doped porous carbon (NSPC) using low-cost asphalt precursors. The strategy for synthesis uses g-C₃N₄ and NaHCO₃ as gaseous templates and NaCl as a solid template, which causes the formation of hierarchical porous carbon with a high specific surface area. The resultant porous structure and nitrogen-doping process can prevent the aggregation of nanosheets, maintain the structural stability upon cycling, and achieve rate-capable lithium storage. Serving as a LIBs anode, reversible specific capacities of the NSPC24 electrode reach 788 and 280 mAh·g^–1 at 0.1 and 1 A·g^–1, respectively. Furthermore, its specific capacity remains at 830 mAh·g^–1 after 115 cycles at 0.1 A·g^–1. Even after 500 cycles, high specific capacities of 727 mAh·g^–1 at 0.5 A·g^–1 and 624 mAh·g^–1 at 1 A·g^–1 are achieved, demonstrating excellent cycling performance. The gas–solid bifunctional template-mediated approach can guide the design of porous materials very well, meanwhile realizing the high value-added utilization of asphalt.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

energy storage / hierarchically porous carbon / lithium-ion battery / specific surface area / nitrogen-doping process

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Acknowledgements

Financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 21776308, 21908245, and 52022109), the Science Foundation of China University of Petroleum, Beijing (Grant Nos. 2462018YJRC009 and ZX20200094), and the Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 2202047) are acknowledged.

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