Patent ID: 6680013
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: B29C,B82Y,C04B,G02B

Abstract:
A method of forming an inorganic macroporous material, the method comprising:providing a sample of organic polymer particles having a particle size distribution of no greater than about 10%; forming a colloidal crystal template of the sample of organic polymer particles, the colloidal crystal template comprising a plurality of organic polymer particles and interstitial spaces therebetween; adding an inorganic precursor composition comprising a noncolloidal inorganic precursor to the colloidal crystal template such that the precursor composition permeates the interstitial spaces between the organic polymer particles; converting the noncolloidal inorganic precursor to a hardened inorganic framework; and removing the colloidal crystal template from the hardened inorganic framework to form a macroporous material, with the proviso that the macroporous material formed comprises macropores having an average pore size of less than 150 microns.