Metal-Organic Powder Thermochemical Solid-Vapor Architectonics toward Gradient Hybrid Monolith with Combined Structure-Function Features

The conversion of inorganic powders or metal powders into gradient components is typically achieved with the help of a non-uniform electric or pressure field. However, the current technologies are ineffective in converting powder into gradient-structured hybrid components with combined structure-function features because of the lack of a non-uniform field to control evolution of the structures. The present work addresses this challenge by taking advantage of uniformly distributed metal nanoparticles and non-uniformly distributed reactive gases generated during thermopyrolysis of metal-organic powder to generate gradient metal-carbon monolith via combined chemical vapor deposition and solid-state welding. The obtained monolith shows good mechanical strength and high catalytic activity, allowing it to be used as a working electrode for a seawater battery. This method connecting gas-solid-state synthesis together with processing may lead to other gradient hybrid monoliths in the future.