Unusual Nanoparticle Structures from the Silica Sol–Gel‐Mediated Self‐Assembly of a Prussian‐Blue Analogue and the Formation of Templated Graphite Regions

Abstract

A carbon copy that's in a glass of its own: Nanoparticle structures are formed from the gelation of a silica sol–gel solution and the precipitation of a KIXNiIIY[FeIII(CN)6] Prussian-blue analogue in the sol–gel solution. Calcination of the resulting nanoparticle glass destroys the complex, leaves imprints in the silica, and deposits graphite crystals oriented along the long dimension of the void.