Patent ID: 8211498

Claim:
A method comprising the steps of: a) providing a framework in which a mesoporous ceramic can be generated; b) depositing, in a first region of the framework, a first precursor mixture; c) treating the first precursor mixture so as to form a region of mesoporous ceramic substructure comprising a first chemical activity; d) depositing, in a second region of the framework adjacent to the region of mesoporous ceramic substructure comprising a first chemical activity, a second precursor mixture; and e) treating the second precursor mixture so as to form a region of mesoporous ceramic substructure comprising a second chemical activity, wherein the regions of mesoporous ceramic substructure of first and second chemical activity provide for a mesoporous membrane structure comprising regions of mesoporous ceramic, wherein such regions are differentiable by at least one property selected from the group consisting of chemical activity, pore morphology, bulk chemical composition, and compositions thereof; wherein both of the first and second precursor mixtures comprise a quantity of a self-assembling surfactant species, a quantity of ceramic precursor, and wherein at least one of the first and second precursor mixtures comprises a species for imparting organic-based chemical activity to the region in which it is present.