Heteroatom-substituted carbon alloys for use in energy conversion and storage systems

Abstract

Carbon-based materials containing heteroatoms, such as boron and nitrogen, are called heteroatom-substituted carbon alloys. Preparation and applications of heteroatom-substituted carbon alloys, particularly materials composed of boron, carbon and nitrogen (B/C/N materials), and carbon and nitrogen (C/N materials) are summarized in this review. Examples of potential applications of the materials to energy conversion and storage systems, such as secondary batteries, capacitors and photocatalysts are described. B/C/N materials can be intercalated with sodium (Na) to form a first stage intercalation compound, which can be used as the anode of Na ion batteries. C/N materials used as the electrode of capacitors have higher volumetric capacities than commercially-used activated carbon, and show photocatalytic behavior as an electrode for the production of hydrogen by the electrolysis of water. Important roles of boron and nitrogen in B/C/N and C/N materials are also discussed. TANSO 2015 (No. 267), 84–93.