Versatility of a Nitrogen-Containing Monolithic Porous Carbon for Lithium-Based Energy Storage

Abstract

N-containing monolithic porous carbon material with dual micro and mesoporous structures was synthesized using an innovative, cheap and easy synthesis route based on the classical resorcinol-formaldehyde synthesis. A completely chemical, structural and morphological characterization was carried out. The N content in the carbonaceous material was 7.3 % and XPS data showed that is present in two different surrounds, as N-pyrrolic and N-pyridinic atoms. Is known that, the last one, can acts as a catalyst at surface level in heterogeneous reactions. In addition, using this material, we were able to fabricate lithium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries obtaining high values of discharge capacity and cycle stability and demonstrating the multifunctional character of this carbon in energy storage devices.