Zeolite-Templated Carbon Materials for Electrochemical Applications

Zeolite-templated carbon materials (ZTCs) constitute a class of nanostructured carbons synthesised by the infiltration of carbon precursors into the uniform pore network of zeolitic frameworks, followed by carbonisation and template removal. The resulting carbons display precisely defined microporosity, high surface area and three-dimensional connectivity inherited from the parent zeolite. Such attributes endow ZTCs with exceptional electrical conductivity, rapid ion transport and outstanding mechanical stability. Over the past decade, advances in template design, precursor selection and post‐synthesis modification have enabled the tailoring of pore size at the ångström level, the introduction of hierarchical porosity and the controlled incorporation of heteroatoms. Collectively, these innovations have propelled ZTCs into key roles in electrochemical devices, including battery electrodes, supercapacitors and electrocatalysts. Their tunable architecture facilitates electrolyte access, active‐site exposure and charge‐storage kinetics, while their robustness ensures long cycle life. Emerging trends focus on coupling ZTCs with metal or molecular catalysts, optimising multi‐scale porosity and exploiting novel carbonisation pathways for next‐generation energy conversion and storage technologies.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of molecularly precise ZTCs for selective ion storage. One report introduced carbonisation of three-dimensional aromatic molecules to yield porous carbons with pore diameters controlled at the ångström scale, enabling efficient sodium-ion intercalation and exceptional rate capability when employed as battery anodes. Another investigation exploited a nickel-porphyrin dimer crystal, converting it through sequential thermal treatments into an ordered carbonaceous framework that retains metal-nitrogen coordination sites; the resultant material exhibited enhanced electrical conductivity and catalytic activity for oxygen reduction. Foundational work has further characterised microporous three-dimensional graphene-like carbons templated by rare-earth‐modified zeolites, revealing that the degree of pore ordering and graphitic bonding directly governs conductance over four orders of magnitude. These studies collectively underscore the importance of molecular and structural control in achieving high performance in electrochemical contexts.

Zeolite-Templated Carbon Materials for Electrochemical Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in zeolite-templated carbon materials for electrochemical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Zeolite-Templated Carbon (ZTC): A carbon material formed by carbonising a precursor within the pores of a zeolite and subsequently removing the template to reveal a three-dimensional porous carbon network.

Microporosity and Mesoporosity: Classification of pore sizes; micropores are below 2 nm, mesopores range from 2 to 50 nm, both critical for ion accessibility and transport.

Heteroatom Doping: Introduction of non-carbon atoms (e.g. N, O, S) into the carbon lattice to create active sites and modulate electronic properties.

Graphene-Zipping Reaction: A high-temperature process in which adjacent graphene edges fuse, increasing domain size and conductivity while maintaining a porous framework.

Electrocatalysis: Acceleration of electrochemical reactions (such as oxygen reduction or evolution) at the surface of a conductive catalyst under applied potential.

References

1. The carbonization of aromatic molecules with three-dimensional structures affords carbon materials with controlled pore sizes at the Ångstrom-level. Communications Chemistry (2021).
2. Synthesis of ordered carbonaceous frameworks from organic crystals. Nature Communications (2017).
3. Extremely high electrical conductance of microporous 3D graphene-like zeolite-templated carbon framework. Scientific Reports (2017).
4. Revival of Zeolite‐Templated Nanocarbon Materials: Recent Advances in Energy Storage and Conversion. Advanced Science (2020).
5. Chemistry of zipping reactions in mesoporous carbon consisting of minimally stacked graphene layers. Chemical Science (2023).
6. Toward three-dimensionally ordered nanoporous graphene materials: template synthesis, structure, and applications. Chemical Science (2024).