Spontaneous Formation of Macroporous Monoliths of Mesoporous Manganese Oxide Crystals

An unusual route to hierarchically porous MnO monoliths is demonstrated. The monoliths are obtained by successive stages of liquid- and vapor-phase leaching. The accompanying Figure shows 10–30 nm sized pores created by the conversion of zinc manganese oxide to manganese oxide. The leaching methodology is general and can be extended to the preparation of a number of porous inorganics.