The recent progress of nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials for electrochemical batteries

Carbon nanomaterials have been widely explored for use as electrode materials for the fabrication of electrochemical batteries. Nitrogen doping represents a general and effective method in further improving the physical and chemical properties of carbon nanomaterials to enhance the energy storage capabilities of the resulting batteries. In this review paper, the recent advances in the synthesis and property of nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes, graphene, porous carbon, and carbon nanofibers are highlighted first. The use of nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials in various electrochemical batteries such as lithium ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, metal-air (oxygen) batteries and sodium ion batteries is then discussed with a focus on their electrochemical properties. The remaining challenges and the possible direction for the use of nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterials for electrochemical batteries are finally described to provide some useful clues for the future developments of this promising field.