Nitrogen-doped porous carbon microspherules as supports for preparing monodisperse nickel nanoparticles

N-doped porous carbon microspherules were developed through controlled carbonization of the copolymer of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrite. The carbon precursors were prepared by an inorganic–organic hybrid route. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed the formation of N-doped carbon spherules. N2 sorption analysis showed that the resultant carbon materials have a BET surface area of 692 m2/g. Nickel nanoparticles supported over them are kept in a well-dispersed state. Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed nickel nanoparticles are quite monodisperse. Analysis of XPS spectra of the samples with different surface nitrogen atomic concentration demonstrated that nitrogen species on the carbon surfaces have a great impact on the dispersion state of the mounted metal nanocrystals.