A novel polymeric precursor for micro/mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbons

A unique type of homopolymer is introduced in this report as a versatile carbon precursor for the template-free synthesis of porous nitrogen-doped carbons. A poly(ionic liquid) polymer, poly[3-cyanomethyl-1-vinylimidazolium bis(trifluoro methanesulfonyl) imide], when carbonized under nitrogen at intermediate temperatures (500-800 degrees C) produced readily micro/mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbons without a template or activation agent. Here, the polymer backbone acts as the carbon precursor as well as the nitrogen source, while the bulky counterion plays a role as a molecular template. The carbonization temperature and the heating program were found to play central roles in determining the specific surface area and the nitrogen content in the final materials. Combining this phenomenon with the superior processability of polymers, porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes loaded with Fe2O3 nanoparticles and porous carbon films with tunable thickness were made. The application of Fe2O3 loaded carbon nanotubes in oxygen reduction reaction and the porous carbon film in aqueous dye absorption was demonstrated.