Multiphase assembly of mesoporous-macroporous membranes

A novel procedure has been developed for the synthesis of spongelike silica membranes with three-dimensional meso-macrostructures. The process utilize s multiphase media comprised of a mesoscopically ordered block copolymer/si lica phase that macroscopically separates from an electrolyte phase. This r esults in hierarchically organized composite structures whose different cha racteristic length scales can be independently adjusted.