High content pyridine nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets derived from ZIF-L as anode materials of lithium-ion batteries with excellent capacity and rate performance.

The precise control of nitrogen doping types in carbon materials is crucial for optimizing energy storage devices. In this study, we synthesize nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets (NCS) using ZIF-L as a precursor. Comparatively, the two-dimensional crystal structure of ZIF-L provides several advantages over ZIF-8 as a precursor in terms of nitrogen doping efficiency, achieving a higher doping level (14.56 %) and an increased ratio of pyridinic nitrogen (53.60 %). Consequently, NCS display a greater capacity for pseudocapacitive lithium storage. Furthermore, by adjusting the carbonization temperature, we precisely tailor the graphite-nitrogen doping level of NCS within the range of 16.80–31.22 %. Remarkably, when employed as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries, NCS-800 demonstrates exceptional cycling stability, with a capacity retention of 1078 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g−1, as well as excellent rate capability (735 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1). This study not only compares the impact of precursor crystal structure modifications on nitrogen doping and lithium storage performance but also introduces a novel synthesis methodology for highly nitrogen-doped carbon materials, offering new avenues for future research in this field. • Nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets (NCS) with a high nitrogen content using 2D ZIF-L as a precursor were synthesized. • The N level of NCS (14.56%) was higher than that of NCP (9.66%) obtained from ZIF-8 and tailored by heating temperature. • NCS-800 exhibited a specific capacity for lithium storage of 1078 mAh g‐1 after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g‐1 current density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]