Low temperature pseudomorphic synthesis of nanocrystalline carbide aerogels for electrocatalysisElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Synthesis, characterization methods and electrocatalytic measurements. See DOI: 10.1039/c5ta00427f

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 m 2 g −1 ) and porosities (83.37 and 79.36 vol%) from carbon aerogels, respectively. Low-temperature pseudomorphic transformation of nanocrystalline TiC (NbC) aerogels with high surface areas and electrocatalytic activities is realized for DSSCs and the HER.