Unexpected enhanced catalytic performance via highly dense interfaces in ultra-fine amorphous-nanocrystalline biphasic structure

Metallic glasses (MGs) as effective catalysts have been extensively studied due to essentially disordered atomic configurations and widely adjustable micro-morphologies. The catalysis performance could be greatly promoted by introducing additional crystalline phases in the amorphous matrix due to the synergistic advantages of the crystalline and amorphous phases. However, the conventional casting and annealing approaches induced amorphous-crystalline (a/c) composites restrict the synergistic and galvanic cells effects because the generated crystalline phases are easily coarsened with meager a/c interfaces. Here, the artificial ultra-fine a/c Fe76S-i8B13Nb3 catalyst with spinodal decomposition morphology and extremely high dense a/c interfaces of 2 x 1016 m- 2 are achieved from MG film precursor with nanoscale phase separation by controllable surface diffusion during deposition and suppressive crystalline coarsening procedures. The designed ultra-fine a/c catalyst exhibits admirable cycling degradation property and extraordinary dye degradation efficiency of 300 times than that of the commercial Fe powder. Especially, the outstanding catalytic performances of a/c composite are achieved without the additional involvement of hydrogen peroxide assistance, which provides an environmental-friendly neutral catalytic condition and avoids the corrosive damage during commercial sewage-treatment. This work provides a distinct perspective to design and regulate catalytic performances by amorphous precursor with pre-existent ultra-fine structures.