Biogenic 3-D SiO2 micro-assemblies (diatom microshells) of low specific surface area (SSA, <2 m2g−1) have been transformed into 3-D replicas of high SSA C (>1300 m2g−1) and Pt-loaded C (>600 m2g−1) by a shape-preserving serial reaction process. Such high SSA micro-assemblies may be generated in a wide variety of selectable 3-D shapes for tailored catalysis, filtration, or adsorption for energy storage/production, water purification, and biofuel separation.
