Functional structure

A functional structure comprising:

• a plurality of supports defining a framework, each support including a zeolite-type compound comprising silicon;
• and
• at least one functional material present in the framework and including a metal element (M), wherein
• the framework has a porous structure including channels communicating with one another,
• the functional material is present at least in a channel of the framework,
• the metal element (M) exists in the functional structure as a central atom of two types of coordination structures in the functional material, a first type being a coordination structure of four-coordination number having a spectral pattern corresponding to a metallosilicate and a second type being a coordination structure of six-coordination number having a spectral pattern corresponding to a metal oxide,
• the functional material is partially bonded to the framework by a metallosilicate present at an interface of the functional material and the framework, the metallosilicate comprising both silicon derived from the framework and the metal element (M) derived from the functional material, and
• an existence ratio P of the metal element (M) forming a coordination structure of four-coordination number is 0.15 or more, the existence ratio P being calculated by substituting into the below formula value (a) representing a peak intensity of a metal element forming the coordination structure of four-coordination number (a metal element being in the functional structure and having a spectral pattern corresponding to metallosilicate) and value (b) representing a peak intensity of a metal element forming a coordination structure of six-coordination number (a metal element being in the functional structure and having a spectral pattern corresponding to a metal oxide before being reduced to metal), based on an X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectrum determined from an absorption edge of the metal in the functional structure measured by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurement:
• P=(a)/(a+b).