Assembly of ultrasmall Cu3N nanoparticles into three-dimensional porous monolithic aerogels

Abstract

We present for the first time the synthesis of transition metal nitride aerogels, specifically Cu₃N aerogels by destabilizing colloidal Cu₃N nanoparticles into gels using controlled heat treatment. The resulting aerogels consist of interconnected three-dimensional networks with ultrasmall-sized nanoparticle bridges of a surface area of 381 m² g⁻¹ and only 5% relative density.