Surface functionalization of nitrogen-doped carbon derived from protein as anode material for lithium storage

Carbon has received an intensive consideration in view of its application as an anode in lithium storage and is characterized by high electrical conductivity, excellent chemical and physical properties, and outstanding stability for insertion and deinsertion of Li ions. However, the due to the high-cost production requiring a high temperature process, a limited storage capacity, and a poor rate capability. In the present study, we suggest a novel protein as a raw material of carbon using simply carbonization. The nitrogen-doped carbon indicates the nitrogen (N)-doped sites with graphitic–N and pyridinic–N sites, as well as high crystallizability. The optimized electrode delivers an excellent cycling stability (284 mA h g ⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 100 mA g ⁻¹ ), an impressive rate performance (154 mA h g ⁻¹ at 2000 mA g ⁻¹ ), and a remarkable ultrafast cycling stability (112 mA h g ⁻¹ after 500 cycles at 2000 mA g ⁻¹ ). Therefore, this unique nitrogen-doped carbon offers attractive advantages in terms of the functional N-doped sites, a simple fabrication process, and a low-cost production.