Metal Oxide Containing Mesoporous Silica with Bicontinuous “Plumber's Nightmare” Morphology from a Block Copolymer-Hybrid Mesophase

Abstract

Two distinct channel systems are present in a polymer–inorganic nanocomposite, the structure of which is based on a bicontinuous plumber's nightmare (a regular array of completely interconnected tubes; see picture). Calcination at high temperatures leads to a metal oxide containing mesoporous silica-type material with promise for application in separation technology and catalysis.