Thin films of aligned zeolite crystals can significantly improve the q
uality of advanced materials prepared using zeolites as a nanostructur
ed host. A membrane of vertically aligned aluminophosphate molecular s
ieves is prepared on floating anodized alumina using microwave heating
. The Figure shows the first step in the proposed synthetic scheme-pre
formed nuclei penetrate the cylindrical nanochannels of the alumina su
bstrate.