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Organically synthesized porous carbon (OSPC-1) is a newly discovered carbon allotrope. OSPC-1 is synthesized via the Eglinton homocoupling of ethynyl methane. It has a large surface area (766 m2 g–1) and a high lithium uptake of 748 mAh g–1, demonstrating its great potential as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Here, we explore the extension of the family of OSPC materials, giving three new potential carbon allotropes: OSPC-0, OSPC-2, and OSPC-3. These materials differ in node-to-node distance by an increase or a decrease in the number of connecting ethynyl units in the struts. We propose synthetic strategies, construct structural models, discuss the structural properties, and assess the potential application of the proposed OSPC family members as LIB anode materials. We suggest the optimal materials for capacity (OSPC-0) or for charging time (OSPC-3). Overall, we suggest that OSPC-3 is the optimal material from the proposed OSPC family members for an LIB anode. This could lead to LIBs that have much greater charging and discharging rates that could lead to reduced charging times and greater power output.

Organically synthesized porous carbon (OSPC-1) has a high lithium uptake of 748 mA h g-1, demonstrating that it is a strong contender as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Simulations of the lithium uptake on models generated of OSPC-1 gave values close to the experimentally obtained data. Thus, we assess the potential of OSPC-1 for use as an anode material in batteries of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. We find ion uptakes of 770, 386, 158, and 774 mA h g-1 for Li+, Na+, K+, and Ca2+, respectively. We also study the diffusive capabilities of ions through the OSPC-1 structure via means of active diffusion. The lithium ions were able to diffuse at a greater rate, followed by the divalent ions, Mg2+ and Ca2+, and the monovalent ions, Na+ and K+. All these ions were able to diffuse completely through the OSPC-1 structure with the diffusion rate being dependent on the ionic radius of the ion, coupled with the valency of the ion. Therefore, we show that OSPC-1 also has great potential as an anode material for Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ batteries.

Amorphous network materials are becoming increasingly important with applications, for example, as supercapacitors, battery anodes, and proton conduction membranes. The design of these materials is hampered by the amorphous nature of the structure and sensitivity to synthetic conditions. Here, we show that through artificial synthesis, fully mimicking the catalytic formation cycle, and full synthetic conditions, we can generate structural models that can fully describe the physical properties of these amorphous network materials. This opens up pathways for the rational design where complex structural influences, such as the solvent and catalyst choice, can be taken into account.

We report the first organically synthesized sp-sp3 hybridized porous carbon, OSPC-1. This new carbon shows electron conductivity, high porosity, the highest uptake of lithium ions of any carbon material to-date, and the ability to inhibit dangerous lithium dendrite formation. The new carbon exhibits exceptional potential as anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with high capacity, excellent rate capability, long cycle life, and potential for improved safety performance.

Porous organic materials have garnered colossal interest with the scientific fraternity due to their excellent gas sorption performances, catalytic abilities, energy storage capacities, and other intriguing applications. This review encompasses the recent significant breakthroughs and the conventional functions and practices in the field of porous organic materials to find useful applications and imparts a comprehensive understanding of the strategic evolution of the design and synthetic approaches of porous organic materials with tunable characteristics. We present an exhaustive analysis of the design strategies with special emphasis on the topologies of crystalline and amorphous porous organic materials. In addition to elucidating the structure-function correlation and state-of-the-art applications of porous organic materials, we address the challenges and restrictions that prevent us from realizing porous organic materials with tailored structures and properties for useful applications.