The primary reason for doping carbons with heteroatoms is to enhance their catalytic activity. Doping can introduce new active sites, alter the electronic structure, and improve the binding of reactants to the catalyst surface. For instance, nitrogen-doped carbon materials can create more active sites for reactions such as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells. The heteroatoms can also improve the stability and durability of the carbon materials under harsh reaction conditions, making them suitable for various catalytic applications.
