Template- and Metal-Free Synthesis of Nitrogen-Rich Nanoporous "Noble" Carbon Materials by Direct Pyrolysis of a Preorganized Hexaazatriphenylene Precursor

The targeted thermal condensation of a hexaazatriphenylene-based precursor leads to porous and oxidation-resistant ("noble") carbons. Simple condensation of the pre-aligned molecular precursor produces nitrogen-rich carbons with C2N-type stoichiometry. Despite the absence of any porogen and metal species involved in the synthesis, the specific surface areas of the molecular carbons reach up to 1000 m(2) g(-1) due to the significant microporosity of the materials. The content and type of nitrogen species is controllable by the carbonization temperature whilst porosity remains largely unaffected at the same time. The resulting noble carbons are distinguished by a highly polarizable micropore structure and have thus high adsorption affinity towards molecules such as H2O and CO2. This molecular precursor approach opens new possibilities for the synthesis of porous noble carbons under molecular control, providing access to the special physical properties of the C2N structure and extending the known spectrum of classical porous carbons.