Self-Construction from 2D to 3D: One-Pot Layer-by-Layer Assembly of Graphene Oxide Sheets Held Together by Coordination Polymers

Deposition of Ni-based cyanide bridged coordination polymer (NiCNNi) flakes onto the surfaces of graphene oxide (GO) sheets, which allows precise control of the resulting lamellar nanoarchitecture by in situ crystallization, is reported. GO sheets are utilized as nucleation sites that promote the optimized crystal growth of NiCNNi flakes. The NiCNNi-coated GO sheets then self-assemble and are stabilized as ordered lamellar nanomaterials. Regulated thermal treatment under nitrogen results in a Ni3C-GO composite with a similar morphology to the starting material, and the Ni3C-GO composite exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic activity and excellent durability for the oxygen reduction reaction.