Porous Carbon Materials: from Traditional Synthesis, Machine Learning-Assisted Design, to Their Applications in Advanced Energy Storage and Conversion

Abstract

Porous carbon materials (PCMs) have long played key roles in energy storage and conversion fields, known for their abundant raw materials, tunable pore structures, large surface area, and excellent conductivity. Despite significant progress, there remains a substantial gap between the precise design of PCMs and the full utilization of their unique properties for developing high-performance electrode materials. Herein, this review systematically and comprehensively introduces PCMs from traditional synthesis, machine learning-assisted design principles to their energy storage and conversion applications. Specifically, the preparation methods for microporous, mesoporous, macroporous, and hierarchically porous carbon materials are thoroughly summarized, with an emphasis on structural control rules and formation mechanisms. It also highlights the unique advantages of PCMs in alkali metal-ion batteries, metal–sulfur batteries, supercapacitors, and electrocatalysis. Insights from in situ and operando characterizations provide a deep understanding of the correlation between structure and performance. Finally, current challenges and future directions are discussed, emphasizing the need for further advancements to meet evolving energy storage and conversion demands. This review offers valuable guidance for the rational design of high-performance porous carbon electrode materials, and points out key research directions for future development.