Engineering architectures of mesoporous polydopamine and derived carbon: from soft template synthesis to energy applications

The mesoporous polydopamine and its derived carbon (MPDC) exhibit considerable potential for applications in separation, adsorption, sensing, energy storage, catalysis, and biomedicine. The development of flexible synthesis strategies for MPDC and the exploration of precise control of their morphology can further stimulate their potential for application. This paper reviews the advancements made in the synthesis of MPDC utilizing the soft template self-assembly technique over the past decade, with a particular focus on the fine control of its morphology. Furthermore, the potential applications of MPDC in energy-related fields, such as energy storage and electrocatalysis, are discussed. Additionally, the current challenges and future development directions of MPDC are outlined, providing a reference point for researchers in related fields.