Synthesis of new carbon nanostructures with tunable properties is vital for precisely regulating electrochemical performance in the wide applications. Herein

we report a novel approach for the oxidative polymerization of N- and P-bearing copolymers from the self-assembly of three different monomers (aniline

pyrrole

and phytic acid)

and further prepare the respective carbon nanostructures with relatively consistent N dopant (6.2%–8.0%

atom) and varying P concentrations (0.4%–2.8%

atom)

via

controllable pyrolysis. The impacts of phytic acid addition on the compositional

structural

and morphological evolution of the copolymers and the resulting nanocarbons are well studied through a spectrum of characterizations including N

2

sorption

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

gel permeation chromatograph

scanning/transmission electron microscopy

and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Gradual fragmentation of the nanosphere structures is evidenced with increasing addition of phytic acid

leading to different nanostructures from hollow nanospheres to 3D aggregates. Nanocarbons decorated with N and P dopants from pyrolysis are further utilized as anode

materials in lithium-ion batteries

demonstrating enhanced electrochemical performance

i

.

e

.

a reversible capacity of 380 mA·h·g

-1

at 2 A·g

-1

for NPC-0.5 during 200 cycles. The superior performance originates from the balanced porosity

and appropriate concentrations of P and pyrrolic N

thus pointing the direction for designing high-performance anode materials.