Heteroatom-Doped Carbon Materials for Multifunctional Noncatalytic Applications
Songsong Zhi, Quanbin Dai, Hongju Wang, Dapeng Wu, Linjie Zhao, Chuangang Hu, Liming Dai
Abstract
The introduction of heteroatoms (i.e., atoms different from the carbon atom) with different sizes and electronegativities into a pure carbon structure offers a way to control the electron distribution within carbon materials. This heteroatom-doping process can improve their electrical, electrochemical, electronic, optical, thermal, and even mechanical properties, making them suitable for a diverse range of applications. While the use of heteroatom-doped carbon-based metal-free materials (C-MFMs) has been extensively reviewed for catalytic applications, a systematic review on their noncatalytic roles is still lacking. This review comprehensively analyzes the effects of heteroatom-doping (nitrogen, boron, sulfur, phosphorus, fluorine, etc.) on C-MFMs for multifunctional noncatalytic applications in energy storage (e.g., supercapacitors, secondary batteries, and hybrid capacitors). In addition to the energy-related uses, this review explores the recent developments of C-MFMs in photo/electronic devices (e.g., photovoltaic devices, photodetectors, field emission transistors, and light-emitting diodes), in the rapidly growing area of environmental remediation (for water and air purification) and medical applications (e.g., drug/gene delivery, bioimaging/sensing, and photothermal therapy). This review provides a detailed overview of the latest advancements in carbon-based materials used for these noncatalytic applications. Mechanistic insights into the influence of heteroatoms on material behavior will be discussed, alongside a focus on the present need for improved control over structure and more viable, scalable production. Finally, we will also discuss the impact of structure-property relationships in the use of C-MFMs and the opportunities for advancing these carbon-based materials through rational design strategies.