Synthesis and Fabrication of Inorganic Porous Materials: From Nanometer to Millimeter Sizes

Abstract

In recent years, the functions of porous ceramics such as light weight, thermal insulation, permeability, separation, adsorption, and sound absorption have been paid attention. They are applied to materials for environmental improvement, materials for energy system, biomechanical materials, spatial materials and so on. In conjunction with this, many synthesis and fabrication methods for not only porous ceramics in the usual macropore range, but also those in the mesopore and micropore ranges were reported. The functions and fabrication methods of porous materials are closely related to pore size and structure. In this paper we reviewed recent synthesis and fabrication methods for porous materials across a wide range from nanometer to millimeter pore sizes while also touching upon material functions.