Ultrathin‐Walled 3D Inorganic Nanostructured Networks Templated from Cross‐Linked Cellulose Nanocrystal Aerogels

A key challenge in the development of materials for applications fields opto- and nanoelectronics, catalysis, separation, energy conversion is ability to fabricate 3D inorganic semiconductive nanostructures a precisely-controlled cost-effective manner. This work describes fabrication nanostructured TiO2 monoliths by coating ultraporous cross-linked cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) aerogel templates with layers controlled thickness via atomic layer deposition (ALD). Following calcination, resulting hollow networks form thinnest self-supporting structure (7 nm) fabricated directly on conductive substrate. The CNC-templated ALD–TiO2 electrodes are applied toward photoelectrochemical water splitting. results show that as thin 15 nm produces maximum splitting efficiency, savings reduced time.