Self-supporting nano-porous carbon nanosheet with organized sp2-C network for unprecedented catalytic performance in room-temperature H2S oxidization

Graphene-based carbons have promising applications in non-metal catalysis but are challenged by interlayer stack and poor porosity. Herein, the concept of graphene-like carbons is proposed with porous carbon nanosheets (PCNs) being prepared via a melt-foaming strategy. PCNs show abundant pore structure and organized sp(2)-C network around nanopores. Moreover, the robust and curved nanosheet is spatially isolated and is thus totally stack-free. The unimpeded accessibility to functional groups, defects, and sp(2)-C network enables PCNs with outstanding activity of activating oxygen and high compatibility as carbon support. Thus, alkali-modified PCNs present appealing catalytic oxidation of hydrogen sulfide with unprecedented sulfur capacity up to 10.7 g H2S g(-1) catalyst, 3-fold than that of graphene-based benchmark counterparts. This study provides new insights into the rational design of next-generation carbon catalysts, opening up exciting opportunities for diverse applications.