Nitrogen-enriched porous nanocarbon materials were synthesized by pyrolysis of phase-separated polyacrylonitrile / poly(n-butyl acrylate) block copolymers (PAN-b-PBA). During the carbonization PBA phase was thermally degraded, generating nanoporosity, while PAN phase was converted to a nitrogen-enriched nanocarbon. A bi-continuous morphology was obtained by adjusting the molecular weight and volume fraction of each block. The functional nanocarbons were evaluated in a series of sustainable energy related applications including electrode materials for supercapacitors, electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction, and CO2 sorbents and displayed promise in all cases.

Block copolymers for rational design of nitrogen-enriched nanocarbons suitable for sustainable energy applications

248th National Meeting (2014)

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