Carbon materials (CMs) exhibit application potentials in diverse fields due to their unique microstructures and characteristics. However, traditional methods to prepare CMs suffer from some distinct downsides such as difficulties in tailoring the products and the complicated and slow process.

To prepare the desired CMs on a large scale, a research team led by Prof. YU Shuhong and Prof. LIANG Haiwei at the University of Science and Technology of China of Chinese Academy of Sciences recently utilized a transition metal assisted carbonization process to prepare a series of functional CMs from small organic molecules (SOMs). This study was published in Science Advances.

The transformation of SOMs into CMs has almost relied on harsh synthesis conditions as the high volatility of SOMs at evaluated temperatures. This new method lowers the requirement by using SOMs as precursor.

The transition metal has the ability to catalyze the preferential formation of intermediate polymeric structures, and can avoid direct sublimation of SOMs during the heating process. This feature also guarantees the successful preparation of CMs with high carbon yield.

Besides, 15 SOMs and nine transition metal salts were found in total by researchers which can be employed as carbon precursors and catalysts respectively for preparing CMs.

In addition, two hard templates can be used to enhance the porosity of obtained CMS, demonstrating the versatility of this method.

This study opens a new window to the synthesis of the desired CMs which own high specific surface areas, large pore volumes, abundant heteroatoms as well as highly graphitic structures. It also shows the application potentials of CMs in heterogeneous catalysis and electrocatalysis.

Schematic illustration of the preparation process of CMs. (Image by YU Shuhong)