Recent advances in the formation mechanisms of organized mesoporous materials

Since the discovery of the organized mesoporous solids by Mobil Oil Co. scientists, numerous patents and papers dealing with the synthesis, mechanisms of formation, properties and applications of these exciting solids have been published. A better understanding in the mechanisms of formation has been achieved through the use of in situ techniques of investigation. It appears that the inechanism depends much on the experimental conditions of synthesis. Even if the interaction between the inorganic precursor and the organic template is the key factor in the control of the formation of these materials, none of the proposed mechanisms provides an exclusive and definitive answer. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.