One-pot fabrication of N, S co-doped carbon with 3D hierarchically porous frameworks and high electron/ion transfer rate for lithium-ion batteries

[Display omitted] •N, S dual-doped porous carbons are fabricated with low-value commercial chemicals.•The carbons reveal gradient pore distribution and enlarged interlayer distance.•N, S co-doped porous carbon reveals high electron and charge transfer capability.•The carbons exhibit high specific capacity, rate capability and cyclic stability. Large scale production of the high-performance 3D porous carbonaceous materials is greatly demanded. Herein, N, S dual-doped porous carbon with 3D interconnected hierarchical pore distribution is fabricated via a simple one-pot annealing process with low-value commercial chemicals. With the presence of the in-situ transformed hard template and pre-imbedded activator agents, the N, S co-doped porous carbon reveals large specific surface area, gradient pores distribution, plenty of micropores, and enlarged interlayer distance, which can facilitate both the electrolyte infiltration and charge intercalation efficiency. Therefore, as the LIBs anode, the N, S co-doped porous carbon reveals a highest specific capacity of 863 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, high cyclic stability, superior rate capability (highest capacity retention of 35.0% from 0.1 to 3.2 A g−1) and high charge transfer dynamics. This dual-heteroatom doped porous carbon fabrication strategy is simple, low-cost and easy-scalable, which can be applied in various practical applications.