▎ 摘　　要

NOVELTY - Producing mesoporous metal carbide layers with a defined nanostructuring, comprises (a) providing a mesoporous metal oxide layer; and (b) bringing the metal oxide layer into contact in a reducing atmosphere containing a carbon source at a temperature of at least 650° C, with a carburizing reaction at a heating rate of between 0.5-2 Kelvin per minute for forming a mesoporous metal carbide layer. USE - The metal carbide layer is useful as catalysts or catalyst supports, compound semiconductors in photovoltaic, electrocatalysis or photo(electro)catalysis, in medical technology, as energy stores, as magnetic data stores, as abrasives in material processing and/or as a support material for abrasives and/or lubricants (claimed). ADVANTAGE - The method is simple and economical. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for metal carbide layer prepared by the above method.