Porous three-dimensional core-shell WC@C nanocomposite derived from tungsten-containing inorganic-organic hybrid precursor

Controlled synthesis of WC nanocrystals is challengeable. This paper develops a precursor-pyrolysis process to synthesize core-shell WC/C nanocomposites with a unique porous three-dimensional (3D) structure (i.e., P3D-WC@C). The precursor of tungsten-containing inorganic-organic hybrid provides a soft template and partial carbon source for forming P3D-WC@C nanocomposites during the pyrolysis at 750°C in a CO/CO2 condition. The highly crystalline WC nanoparticles with sizes of 1–5nm are covered with a graphene-like C film (2–5 carbon-atom layers), and assembled to porous 3D plate-like bulks (3–5µm). The P3D-WC@C nanocomposites with a high surface area (~57.5m2/g) can be used as potential supports for electrocatalysts in energy-conversion utilization.