Definition of mesoporous materials in the dictionary of R.A.I.

17 may 2017 - 12:37 CET

Definition of mesoporous materials in the dictionary of the Royal Academy of Engineering. DEI

• Field: 

Biology and Chemistry

• Spanish equivalent: 

 Material mesoporoso

• Definition: 

Solid and porous material, of synthetic or natural origin, with an average pore size ranging between micropores (less than 2 nm) and macropores (more than 50 nm). The pore structure might be arranged or not, and provides an extremely high surface area  in a relatively small amount of material. 

• Observations: 

According to IUPAC nomenclature, the mesoporous material is halfway between the pore sizes defining microporous materials (up to 2nm), and macroporous materials, which exhibit pore diameters larger than 50 nm. They have many applications in the fields of catalysis, molecular separation, drug release or chemical sensors to name but a few, as a consequence of the network of porous cavities in their inner structure.

• Examples: 

Silica ordered mesoporous materials, carbon molecular sieves, organic/inorganic hybrid porous materials and porous metallic oxides.