Method of Making Functionalized Nanoporous Structures

A method of making a functionalized nanoporous structure, the method comprising:

• contacting a templated matrix with an acid solution, wherein the templated matrix comprises:
• (i) a matrix, which comprises a matrix component that comprises a first sol-based ceramic;
• (ii) one or more nanosized templates within the matrix, wherein each nanosized template comprises a ZnO core and a coating on the core, wherein the coating comprises a second sol-based ceramic and, optionally, a first functional material;
• and
• (iii) optionally, a hybrid component that comprises one or more particles of a composition different from that of the matrix within the matrix;
• to dissolve the ZnO core(s) and form one or more nanosized pores, each of which being defined by the coating;
• and
• contacting the coating(s) defining the nanosized pore(s) with a composition comprising a second functional material to bind all or a portion of the second functional material to the coating(s) defining the nanosized pore(s), wherein the contacting the coating(s) defining the nanosized pore(s) with the composition comprising the second functional material is optional if the coating(s) comprise(s) the first functional material;
• thereby forming the functionalized nanoporous structure, which comprises the (a) matrix, (b) one or more functionalized nanosized pores within the matrix, wherein each functionalized nanosized pore is defined by the coating and, optionally, the second functional material, and (c) optionally, the hybrid component within the matrix.