Impact of precursors on nitrogen doped graphene: A review

Since the discovery of graphene and its potential applications, extensive research has been conducted to improve its performance and expand its utility. Among the strategies explored, defect engineering—specifically the controlled introduction of heteroatoms like nitrogen—has emerged as a crucial approach to customizing graphene's properties. This review examines the role of selected precursor materials in synthesizing nitrogen-doped graphene (NDG), focusing on key factors such as nitrogen configurations (pyridinic, pyrrolic, and graphitic), nitrogen content in the final product, catalytic activity, and surface conductivity. The advantages and limitations of different precursor are analyzed, along with a critical evaluation of synthesis methods, which significantly influence these parameters. By exploring these aspects, this study aims to provide insights for optimizing nitrogen doping processes to advance graphene-based technologies.