Nitrogen-doped porous carbon materials: synthetic pathways, structural tuning, and functional applications

Nitrogen-doped porous carbon materials (N-PCMs) are a versatile class of functional systems for applications in catalysis, energy storage, and gas sensing, owing to their tunable conductivity, electronic properties, surface chemistry and porosity. All these properties determine adsorption and reactivity. Despite extensive progress, achieving a balance between nitrogen incorporation and pore development remains a major challenge. A practical approach to control both aspects is the molecular assembly and the use of pre-organized precursors, reducing energy demand and environmental impact. In electrocatalysis, graphitic/pyridinic nitrogen promote the four-electron oxygen reduction pathway, whereas pyrrolic sites and pentagonal defects favor the two-electron route. For next-generation supercapacitors, optimization requires the parallel design of electrode and electrolyte. Aqueous systems combined with N-PCMs containing hierarchical porosity and graphitic/pyridinic nitrogen can enhance energy and power densities within an extended potential window. In gas sensing, porous networks combined with nitrogen functionalities determine adsorption and charge transfer. Integration of UV photoactivation has emerged as a decisive factor for room-temperature detection since enables response modulation with improved sensitivity. This concept may also be extended to supercapacitors and electrocatalysis, where light could improve charge dynamics. Unresolved issues include the identification of active nitrogen species by operando methods. Scalable synthesis of N-PCMs with defined porosity and composition remains difficult. In-situ doping and the implementation of molecular assembly strategies are positioned as feasible options. Future research should focus on scalable synthesis with identification of active nitrogen species, and stronger synergy between experimental and theoretical studies to advance N-PCMs for sustainable energy and environmental technologies. • Overview of synthesis routes for nitrogen-doped porous carbon materials (N-PCMs). • Competitiveness between porous development and nitrogen doping in N-PCMs • Molecular assembly strategies enable rational design of advanced N-PCMs. • N-PCMs enable highly sensitive and selective UV-assisted gas sensors • Hierarchical porosity and graphitic-N/pyridinic-N boost energy conversion & storage