Three‐dimensional (3D) flexible nanofibrous network knitting on hierarchical porous architecture.

Hierarchical structured porous ceramics have attracted tremendous research interests because of their numerous excellent properties including robust mechanical strength and large surface area. In this work, silicon carbide (SiC)‐based porous ceramics with three levels of pore hierarchy are fabricated from silicon particle‐stabilized foams and a subsequent one‐step calcination after they were embedded with coke. Three‐dimensional (3D) flexible nanofibrous network is adhered and wrapped on cell walls of porous ceramics, which is readily fine‐tuned and tailored by the temperature to provide optimized pore structure. The resultant SiC‐based porous ceramics present a density of 1.03 g/cm3 at a porosity of 72% with a large quantity of hierarchical micro‐ and macropores. This hierarchical structure leads to robust compressive strength (23.52 MPa) and large surface area (64.32 m2/g). The fabrication method is straightforward and sought‐after, providing a facile technical route for advanced hierarchical porous ceramics used in filtration and catalysis fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]