Mesoporous Fe3C sponges as magnetic supports and as heterogeneous catalyst

Mesoporous Fe3C is synthesised by combining a hard-templating approach with carbothermal reduction. The product shows high crystallinity, a transport pore size of d approximate to 20 nm and high specific surface area (415 m(2) g(-1)). Its usefulness is exemplified by its catalytic activity and high stability in NH3 decomposition.