Symposium EN11-Nitrogen-doped Carbon—From Fundamental Understanding to Applications in Electrochemical Devices

Nitrogen doping in conductive nanostructures like graphene, carbon nanotubes, and mesoporous carbon has spurred a wide array of research topics, primarily due to the improved electrochemical properties imparted by this doping. The advent of single atom catalysts (SACs) has further highlighted N-doped graphene as an ideal substrate, given its remarkable catalytic activity in electrochemical processes. This encompasses a deep dive into the underlying science of diverse electrochemical processes and reaction mechanisms, understanding the roles played by different nitrogen species within the carbon matrix, and the methodologies to enrich these structures with specific nitrogen species. Such foundational knowledge is increasingly being applied in areas addressing global challenges like environmental remediation through advanced oxidation processes, supercapacitors or zinc-air battery cathodes for energy storage solutions, and fuel cell electrodes in alternative energy conversion devices. These applications necessitate a close association with advanced characterization techniques and theoretical modeling to fully understand the physicochemical attributes of N-doped graphitic structures.

This symposium will serve as an interactive platform for scientists from various disciplines to further our collective understanding of N-doped graphitic nanostructures. The focus is on assembling these materials into functional entities with enhanced electrocatalytic properties, positioning them as viable, Earth-abundant alternatives to precious metal electrocatalysts in various electrochemical processes. It will cover a broad spectrum of topics: from the basic understanding of electrochemical processes and mechanisms to the synthesis and post-treatment of N-doped materials, their assembly into macroscopic functional forms, and the exploration of emerging applications at both atomic and device scales. Emphasis will also be on advanced characterization techniques, first-principles calculations, theoretical modeling, and the role of SACs in this exciting field. Contributions that shed light on the latest concepts and applications of these materials are highly encouraged.

Topics will include:

Novel experimental synthesis methods or post-treatments to achieve N-doping with selectivity of the N species present.
Advanced characterization methods for evaluating the structure of N-doped materials.
Advanced electrochemical microscopy and related techniques for in depth evaluation of the electrochemical activity of the N-doped Carbon materials.
Dynamic modeling of active nitrogen species or understanding the interactions between the single atoms and their support.
Assembly methods and novel 3D or 2D assembled architectures of N-doped Graphitic nanostructures into macroscopic materials.
N-doped graphitic materials as electrocatalysts for the generation of environmentally friendly fuels.
Recent concepts and emerging applications with N-doped graphitic materials at the atomic scale and device level.
In situ and operando methods for elucidating to formation or degradation of active species
Electrochemical reactions mechanism elucidation and selectivity (e.g. ORR, HER, OER, CO2RR) on N-doped graphtic nanostructures
N-doped materials for energy storage (e.g. supercapacitors or zinc-air battery cathodes) or conversion (e.g. fuel cells) applications
Water quality improvement aided by on-site H2O2 generation through ORR with N-doped graphitic materials

Invited Speakers:

Paola Ayala (Universität Wien, Austria)
Gabriela Borin (Empa–Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Switzerland)
Paula Colavita (Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Ireland)
Lior Elbaz (Bar-Ilan University, Israel)
Jingsong Huang (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA)
Frederic Jaouen (Institut Charles Gerhardt, France)
Ulrike Kramm (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany)
Deborah Myers (Argonne National Laboratory, USA)
Teresita Oropeza (Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana Calzada Del, Mexico)
Francisco Ruiz-Zepeda (National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia)
Mauricio Terrones (The Pennsylvania State University, USA)
Haotian Wang (Rice University, USA)