Low temperature pseudomorphic synthesis of nanocrystalline carbide aerogels for electrocatalysis

Here we demonstrate a low-temperature pseudomorphic transformation of carbide aerogels for electrocatalysis. The sustaining temperature-gradient-driving transportation of a volatile metal compound and carbon diffusion-limited growth yield highly active, mesoporous, nanocrystalline TiC and NbC aerogels with high surface areas (265 and 159 m2 g−1) and porosities (83.37 and 79.36 vol%) from carbon aerogels, respectively.