Anodic alumina-templated synthesis of mesostructured silica membranes – current status and challenges

Abstract

Numerous fabrication methods have been employed in the preparation of anodic alumina-confined, ordered mesoporous silica membranes. The sol–gel and aspiration techniques appear to be the most promising, but realizing a completely filled, crack free, hybrid membrane is still a challenge on macroscopic scales. Presented in this paper are current synthetic challenges involved in the formation of such a hierarchically structured membrane. Overcoming these challenges is essential to use these hybrid materials for membrane separations.