Applications of N–Doped Graphene Materials in Batteries
摘要
Nitrogen-doped graphene (N-G)-based materials have shown high adaptability and characteristics as multifunctional material for advancing a wide range of battery technologies beyond conventional lithium ion systems. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the roles, synthesis strategies, and electrochemical performance of N-G materials in diverse battery chemistries, including lithium, sodium, potassium, multivalent metal, and flow batteries. In lithium ion batteries, N-G functions both as an active anode and as a conductive matrix for silicon, germanium, and transition metal oxide composites, enhancing conductivity, structural integrity, and capacity retention. As a cathode support, it facilitates fast redox kinetics and suppresses capacity fading. In lithium–sulfur and lithium–selenium batteries, N-G architectures effectively confine soluble intermediates, mitigate shuttle effects, and promote conversion reactions, leading to longer cycling life and higher energy efficiency. Similar benefits extend to sodium and potassium ion batteries, where defect rich N G networks improve ion transport and accommodate volume expansion. In metal–air systems such as Zn–air, Li–O2, and Al–air, N-G acts as a low cost, metal free catalyst with strong oxygen reduction and evolution reaction activity. Its effectiveness also spans aluminium, magnesium, and zinc based aqueous batteries, where it stabilizes electrodes and suppresses dendrite formation. Furthermore, in vanadium and organic redox flow batteries, N-G coatings and nanostructures accelerate redox reactions and increase energy efficiency. The chapter concludes by emphasizing N-G’s universal role as a conductive scaffold, ion regulator, and catalytic surface, highlighting its potential for sustainable, high performance, next generation energy storage systems.