Abstract
Monolithic materials have become very popular because of various applications, especially within chromatography and catalysis. Large surface areas and multimodal porosities are great advantages for these applications. New sol-gel preparation methods utilizing phase separation or nanocasting have opened the possibility for preparing materials of other oxides than silica. In this review, we present different synthesis methods for inorganic, non-silica monolithic materials. Some examples of application of the materials are also included.
Highlights
According to the IUPAC definition: “A monolith is a shaped, fabricated, intractable article with a homogeneous microstructure that does not exhibit any structural components distinguishable by optical microscopy” [1]
Porous monoliths based on alumina, titania, zirconia or carbon can broaden the application areas further
The number of publications within this field has flourished during the last few years, and the focus of the present paper is to review recent progress within sol-gel processing of inorganic, non-silica, monolithic materials
Summary
According to the IUPAC definition: “A monolith is a shaped, fabricated, intractable article with a homogeneous microstructure that does not exhibit any structural components distinguishable by optical microscopy” [1]. Porous monoliths used in flow through catalytic or separation systems give lower backpressure, higher permeability and better performance compared to packed columns [2]. Materials 2010, 3 monoliths can exhibit large surface areas and pore volumes, and the presence of macropores ensures high permeability. These advantages, accompanied with mechanical, chemical and thermal stability, and special surface properties, can lead to novel applications of the materials. The sol-gel process has become a very popular fabrication method for inorganic monoliths, as materials with high specific surface areas, multimodal ordered porosity and high homogeneity can be prepared. The number of publications within this field has flourished during the last few years, and the focus of the present paper is to review recent progress within sol-gel processing of inorganic, non-silica, monolithic materials
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