# Doped carbon nanosheets from layered biochar

> A layer-by-layer precursor of alternating inorganic and organic layers is carbonized in place, and the inorganic template is then leached out with acid. Liquid-phase exfoliation splits the resulting multilayered biochar into thin, porous carbon nanosheets co-doped with Fe, N and S, used as oxygen-reduction catalysts and supercapacitor electrodes.

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- Updated: 2026-10-14
- Category: Graphene synthesis
- Method: Liquid-phase exfoliation, top-down
- Starting materials: Layer-by-layer precursor: organic layers between inorganic template layers
- Product: Fe, N and S co-doped graphene-like carbon nanosheets
- Typical size: Nanosheets about 4.3 nm thick
- Key result: Porous and doped by design; specific surface area up to 2491 m²/g
- Scalability: Medium: batch carbonization and liquid processing
- Figure: 1920 × 1080 px, 69 editable layers (14 generated objects with settings)

## Steps

1. **Layer-by-layer precursor**: Organic layers sandwiched between inorganic template layers
2. **In-situ template carbonization**: Heating turns the organic layers into carbon inside the template
3. **Acid leaching**: Acid dissolves the inorganic template, leaving multilayered biochar
4. **Liquid-phase exfoliation**: Sonication in a liquid delaminates the biochar
5. **Delaminated nanosheets**: Thin, porous carbon sheets carrying Fe, N and S

## Strengths

- Fe, N and S doping and high porosity built in
- Carbon from renewable, biomass-type precursors
- Thin sheets with a very large surface area

## Limitations

- Several steps, including carbonization and acid leaching
- Defect-rich, doped carbon rather than pristine graphene
- Acid waste from removing the template

## Uses

- Oxygen-reduction electrocatalysts (an alternative to Pt/C)
- Supercapacitor electrodes
- Catalyst supports and sorbents

## References

1. Tian et al., “Liquid-phase exfoliation of layered biochars into multifunctional heteroatom (Fe, N, S) co-doped graphene-like carbon nanosheets”, Chem. Eng. J. 2021. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1385894720337232 (primary)
2. Hernandez et al., “High-yield production of graphene by liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite”, Nat. Nanotechnol. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2008.215 (method origin)
3. Cui et al., “Liquid-phase exfoliation, functionalization and applications of graphene”, Nanoscale 2011. https://doi.org/10.1039/C1NR10127G (review)

Credit: Redrawn and simplified after Tian et al., Chem. Eng. J. 2021.

## Questions

**What does the “Doped carbon nanosheets from layered biochar” template show?** A layer-by-layer precursor of alternating inorganic and organic layers is carbonized in place, and the inorganic template is then leached out with acid. Liquid-phase exfoliation splits the resulting multilayered biochar into thin, porous carbon nanosheets co-doped with Fe, N and S, used as oxygen-reduction catalysts and supercapacitor electrodes.

**What are the steps shown in “Doped carbon nanosheets from layered biochar”?** 1. Layer-by-layer precursor: Organic layers sandwiched between inorganic template layers. 2. In-situ template carbonization: Heating turns the organic layers into carbon inside the template. 3. Acid leaching: Acid dissolves the inorganic template, leaving multilayered biochar. 4. Liquid-phase exfoliation: Sonication in a liquid delaminates the biochar. 5. Delaminated nanosheets: Thin, porous carbon sheets carrying Fe, N and S.

**What are the starting materials and the product?** Starting materials: Layer-by-layer precursor: organic layers between inorganic template layers. Product: Fe, N and S co-doped graphene-like carbon nanosheets.

**Which papers is “Doped carbon nanosheets from layered biochar” based on?** Tian et al., “Liquid-phase exfoliation of layered biochars into multifunctional heteroatom (Fe, N, S) co-doped graphene-like carbon nanosheets”, Chem. Eng. J. 2021; Hernandez et al., “High-yield production of graphene by liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite”, Nat. Nanotechnol. 2008 (doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.215); Cui et al., “Liquid-phase exfoliation, functionalization and applications of graphene”, Nanoscale 2011 (doi:10.1039/C1NR10127G).

**Can I edit the “Doped carbon nanosheets from layered biochar” template?** Yes. Open it in the LabCanvas editor: all 69 layers are editable, including 14 generated objects (structures, plots, equipment) with their own settings. Change the text, colours and layout, then export PNG, TIFF, SVG or PDF.

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