Modification of hierarchically porous SiC ultrafine fibers with tunable nitrogen-containing surface

Silicon carbide (SiC) has been regarded as a good catalyst support owning to its excellent properties. However, the weak interaction between SiC and noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) hindered the high dispersion of active NPs, resulting in low activity and poor durability. To create charged sites favorable for catalysts deposition, we applied an effective strategy to modify hierarchically porous SiC ultrafine fibers with tunable nitrogen-containing composition on the surface. The obtained N-C/SiC fibers can inherit the enhanced affinity of N-C with noble metal NPs as well as the intrinsic stability of SiC and the hierarchically porous structure. Thus it would be very promising as catalysts support for Fischer-Tropsch reaction, electrocatalytic reaction, etc, especially in harsh environment.