Edge-plane-rich nitrogen-doped carbon nanoneedles and efficient metal-free electrocatalysts.

CNN news: N-doped carbon nanoneedles (CNNs) are synthesized by self-assembling core-shell nanostructures and nanoreactors around cellulose nanoneedles, and subsequent graphitization. The resulting graphitic nanoneedles (see picture) have well-organized graphitic multi-layers and large proportions of N-doped edge planes. The materials serve as efficient metal-free electrocatalysts for hydrazine oxidation.