Sustainable synthesis of N and P co-doped porous amorphous carbon using oil seed processing wastes

A facile approach for the sustainable synthesis of amorphous carbons co-doped with N and P (NC) was demonstrated using inexpensive protein rich wastes and H₃PO₄ as precursors. The prepared NC materials exhibited high degree of aromatization, porosity (specific surface area 435–915 m²/g, pore volume 0.34–0.66 cm³/g) and nitrogen doping levels of 3.4–9.8 at%, depending on intrinsic properties of precursor and synthesis conditions. The materials exhibited electro-catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline electrolytes.