Heteroatom Doped Carbon Allotropes in Energy Storage Application

Abstract

Carbon is one of the most beneficial elements on the earth as it constitutes most of the compounds in existence. Carbon has been of great utility in the production of several compounds, and it is not found alone in high amounts on the earth. Several forms or allotropes of carbon have been in existence and of major use. Allotropes such as diamond are regarded as precious stones and comprise of the currency for goods exchange. Graphene/graphite has been employed in the production of several goods, as well. In addition to structural distortions, heteroatom dopants (HDs) can cause alterations in the properties of carbon-based materials. As a result, it is now common practice to dope heteroatoms into carbon-based materials to change their electrical and chemical characteristics. As multiple recent experimental and theoretical studies have shown, these changes in the electronic properties, spin states, and charges in the materials can also increase the process free energy of the interacting substances and intermediates over the components. This chapter focuses on heteroatom-doped carbon allotropes (HDCAs), their synthesis, characterization, and advantages. It also discusses new ways that can enhance nanoparticle research for energy generation and production towards improving the properties of HDCAs for efficient use in systems.