The doping of carbon nanotubes with nitrogen and their potential applications

This contribution provides a comprehensive overview of the experimental and theoretical topics related to the introduction of nitrogen into both single- and multi-walled carbon nanotube structures. It covers the synthesis, characterization and analysis of the potential applications of carbon nanotubes based on intrinsic changes in properties induced upon nitrogen incorporation. The reason why nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes are the target of several investigations is explained not only from the state-of-the-art research point of view but special attention is given to present the results available in the literature weighed against the ideal materials expected for applications. A comparison with other nitrogen-doped carbon systems is also provided.