Microporous N-Doped Carbon Obtained from Salt Melt Pyrolysis of Chitosan toward Supercapacitor and Oxygen Reduction Catalysts

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Rybarczyk M. K., Cysewska K., YÜKSEL R., Lieder M.

Nanomaterials, vol.12, no.7, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 12 Issue: 7
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.3390/nano12071162
  • Journal Name: Nanomaterials
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Communication Abstracts, INSPEC, Metadex, Directory of Open Access Journals, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: carbon nanostructure, electrocatalysts, supercapacitors, N-rich nano-porous carbon, ENERGY-STORAGE, IONIC LIQUIDS, ACTIVATED CARBONS, CO2 CAPTURE, PERFORMANCE, BIOMASS, CARBONIZATION, ELECTRODE, AREA
  • Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The direct carbonization of low-cost and abundant chitosan biopolymer in the presence of salt eutectics leads to highly microporous, N-doped nanostructures. The microporous structure is easily manufactured using eutectic mixture (ZnCl2-KCl) and chitosan. Potassium ions here can act as an intercalating agent, leading to the formation of lamellar carbon sheets, whereas zinc chloride generates significant porosity. Here, we present an efficient synthetic way for microporous carbon nanostructures production with a total nitrogen content of 8.7%. Preliminary studies were performed to show the possibility of the use of such material as a catalyst for supercapacitor and ORR. The textural properties enhanced capacitance, which stem from improved accessibility of previously blocked or inactive pores in the carbon structure, leading to the conclusion that porogen salts and molten salt strategies produce materials with tailor-made morphologies. The synergistic effect of the eutectic salt is seen in controlled porous structures and pore size, and the micropores boosting adsorption ability.