Ordered mesoporous materials

About six years after the first publication, ordered mesoporous oxides can be prepared by a variety of procedures and over a wide range of compositions using various different surfactant templates. The mechanisms of formation, although still a matter of discussion, are understood in principle, and the macroscopic morphology as well as the orientation of the pores can be controlled in fortunate cases. However, still lacking are groundbreaking developments in the field of applications, either in catalysis or other areas. The state-of-the-art in the synthesis, characterization and application of ordered mesoporous oxides will be covered in this review. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.