Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes and graphene composite structures for energy and catalytic applications.
Substitutional heteroatom doping is a promising route to modulate the outstanding material properties of carbon nanotubes and graphene for customized applications. Recently, (nitrogen-) N-doping has been introduced to ensure tunable work-function, enhanced n-type carrier concentration, diminished surface energy, and manageable polarization. Along with the promising assessment of N-doping effects, research on the N-doped carbon based composite structures is emerging for the synergistic integration with various functional materials. This invited feature article reviews the current research progress, emerging trends, and opening opportunities in N-doped carbon based composite structures. Underlying basic principles are introduced for the effective modulation of material properties of graphitic carbons by N-doping. Composite structures of N-doped graphitic carbons with various functional materials, including (i) polymers, (ii) transition metals, (iii) metal oxides, nitrides, sulphides, and (iv) semiconducting quantum dots are highlighted. Practical benefits of the synergistic composite structures are investigated in energy and catalytic applications, such as organic photovoltaics, photo/electro-catalysts, lithium ion batteries and supercapacitors, with a particular emphasis on the optimized interfacial structures and properties.
Center for Nanomaterials and Chemical Reactions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Materials Science & Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 305-701, Korea. sangouk.kim@kaist.ac.kr.
Won Jun
WJ
Lee
Uday Narayan
UN
Maiti
Ju Min
JM
Lee
Joonwon
J
Lim
Tae Hee
TH
Han
Sang Ouk
SO
Kim