Research

In our team, we aim to make use of rational and facile synthesis schemes towards functional porous carbon materials.

On the one hand, salts turned out to be highly versatile alternatives for the generation of nanoporous (carbon) structures. In this regard, we also develop methods to make the carbons more processable.

Image Schematic representation of the salt templating approach a) precursor salt mixture, b) salt removal after thermal treatment and c) recovered final porous carbon. — **Image** Schematic representation of the salt templating approach a) precursor salt mixture, b) salt removal after thermal treatment and c) recovered final porous carbon.

**Image** Schematic representation of the salt templating approach a) precursor salt mixture, b) salt removal after thermal treatment and c) recovered final porous carbon.

Recent activities include:

use of precursors with the ability to form hydrogen-bond structures resulting in eutectic mixtures or crystals. These intermediates can then form pre-defined, more ordered nanostructured carbons with unusual elemental composition and properties

Image Liquid eutectic carbon precursor mixture from phenol-urea powders, b) structure of the final carbon C2N and c) Scanning Electron Microscopy images of differently processed carbons. — **Image** Liquid eutectic carbon precursor mixture from phenol-urea powders, b) structure of the final carbon C₂N and c) Scanning Electron Microscopy images of differently processed carbons.

**Image** Liquid eutectic carbon precursor mixture from phenol-urea powders, b) structure of the final carbon C₂N and c) Scanning Electron Microscopy images of differently processed carbons.

application of natural (poly)phenols in combination with soft-templating agents to form functional porous carbon monoliths and films
coordination of phenols with a specific structure and metal ions to form crystalline oxocarbon metal complexes. These crystals can be further converted into porous carbons or metal-carbon composites with high degree of chemical surface functionality and preservation of the original crystal morphology such as micro cubes or small plates.