Ionic Liquids as Precursors for Nitrogen-Doped Graphitic Carbon

Nitrogen-doped carbons are prepared by thermolysis of two organic, nitrogen-rich ionic liquids (see figure). The nitrogen content can be adjusted by the thermolysis temperature. As the precursors are liquids at room temperature they represent ideal precursors for the direct synthesis of carbon nanostructures and coatings with flexible geometry controlled by the processing of liquids.