Electrochemical and Solid-State Lithiation of Graphitic C₃N₄

Lithiated graphitic carbon nitride (C 3 N 4 ) was fabricated by electrochemical and solid-state reactions. The addition of Li to C 3 N 4 results in a reaction between the Li and the graphite-like C 3 N species in C 3 N 4 . This irreversible reaction leads to the formation of Li-CH═NR and Li-N═CR 2 species, which are detrimental to anode properties. Suitable nitrogen-doped carbon structures for anode applications are predicted to need high concentrations of pyridinic C–N–C terminal bonds and low concentrations of quaternary C 3 N species to boost electronic conductivity and reversibly cycle Li ions.