Porous nanoballs formed through an in situ generated “framework” template

The unique hierarchic porous nanoballs were constructed through a controllable hydrolysis process in 40–60 vol.% ethanol aqueous solution. The effects of ethanol concentration, hydrolysis duration, solvent, heating way on the formation of the porous structures have been investigated. The samples were characterized by TEM, EDX, SEM, XRD, TG, and pH apparatus, etc. An in situ generated “framework” template was proposed to explain the formation of porous structure. The results showed that ethanol molecules enclosed in the “framework” played an important role in the formation of the porous structures. Importantly, the formation process of such nanoballs is useful for the structure control of porous materials.