Mesostructured silica/block copolymer monoliths as a controlled release device and methods of manufacture

A method for forming a controlled release inorganic metal oxide material comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one release agent;
• providing a liquid source of an inorganic metal oxide;
• providing an amphiphilic block copolymer;
• providing a quantity of water;
• providing a catalyst;
• providing a co-solvent;
• preparing a solution comprising the liquid source of the inorganic metal oxide, the amphiphilic block copolymer, the water, the catalyst, and the co-solvent,
• dissolving the provided release agent into the prepared solution;
• heating the resulting solution at a controlled temperature;
• drying the resulting solution into a predetermined form;
• the resulting form having a release rate determined by the pore size of the inorganic metal oxide and the molecular weight of the amphiphilic block copolymer, wherein the inorganic metal oxide is silicia.