In situ synthesis of hierarchically porous silica ceramics with unidirectionally aligned channel structure

Two hierarchically porous silica ceramics with unidirectionally aligned channel morphology have been in situ synthesized by using soluble starch monoliths with well-defined uniaxial macroporous structure as template. Both these ceramics faithfully inherit the structure of soluble starch templates and show a large BET surface as well as a microstructure of uniform worm-like nanopores and a lamellar phase. These materials may be suitable for use in various separation and reaction processes.