Three dimensional high regular nano-porous inorganic material having fine pores and method for preparation thereof, and method for evaluation thereof

A nanoporous inorganic material with high three-dimensional regularity having a large number of fine pores having a nanometer-order size in an inorganic skeleton structure, which has a pore size of 0.5 to 5 nm at a peak of a pore size distribution determined from a nitrogen adsorption isotherm, and a half-width of 1 (2θ/degree) or less in an X-ray diffraction peak of a (100) plane.

A method for producing a nanoporous inorganic material with high three-dimensional regularity having a large number of fine pores having a nanometer-order size in an inorganic skeleton structure, comprising the steps of (1) dissolving a metal alkoxide as a starting material for said inorganic material together with a cationic surfactant in a solvent containing water and an alcohol;

• (2) hydrolyzing said metal alkoxide by adding an acid to the resultant solution;
• (3) evaporating said solvent from the resultant hydrolyzate at a temperature from room temperature to 50° C.;
• and (4) firing the resultant inorganic material-surfactant composite with high three-dimensional regularity to remove an organic material therefrom.