Intrinsic carbon structural imperfections for enhancing energy conversion electrocatalysts

•A review exclusively on intrinsic structural imperfections of carbon materials for electrocatalysis is presented.•Structural imperfections, including topological defects, edges, vacancies/holes, and distortion/curvature are covered.•The strong interactions between intrinsic defects and other structural components of carbon-based materials are discussed.•The catalytic applications and mechanisms of intrinsic structural defects are elaborated.•The promises and challenges held by defect-rich, dopant-free carbon electrocatalysts are summarized.