Zeolite-templated carbons (ZTCs) are a unique class of porous carbon framework materials with a three-dimensional network of micropores composed of atomically thin, curved hydrocarbon walls, synthesized inside a sacrificial zeolite template. Heteroatom doping of ZTCs has been suggested as a strategy for tuning their properties toward applications ranging from supercapacitors to gas storage. Recent benchmark computational studies suggest that nitrogen-doping of porous carbon surfaces has a significant, beneficial effect on the binding energy toward methane: a strengthening by up to ~3 kJ mol<sup>-1</sup> over pure carbon. Herein, we report the successful incorporation of substitutional nitrogen within the ZTC structure using acetonitrile as a precursor. Optimal conditions to achieve nitrogen-doped ZTCs with N contents ranging from 0-9 at% are described, in addition to high-pressure (100 bar) methane adsorption characterization between 240-340 K. An increased methane binding energy of 1.2 kJ mol<sup>-1</sup> is observed in high N content materials.

Enhanced methane binding on nitrogen-doped zeolite-templated carbons

ACS Spring 2022

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