Microdimension Engineering: Ice-Tailored Metal Aerogels for Versatile Applications

Low-dimensional metallic nanomaterials feature inherent quantum confinement effects, which are regarded as promising building blocks for functional materials with versatile tunable properties. However, manipulating the dimensionality of nano-building blocks (referred to as microdimension) for metal aerogels (MAs), a class of emerging porous materials, remains a great challenge. Here, a universal freezing-mediated assembly strategy based on ice chemistry is demonstrated, yielding a wealth of MAs with customizable microdimensions (0D, 1D, and 2D) and compositions by one-pot synthesis. The mechanism of microdimension control is comprehensively deciphered, which relies on the leveraged engulfment and extrusion of metal nanoparticles by regulating the ice chemistry. The microdimension-dictated applications of MAs are unveiled accordingly exemplified by electrocatalysis and shining luxuries. This study not only provides a new dimension for material design but also opens up exciting possibilities for unlocking untouched application fields of aerogels.