Synthesis and applications of hierarchically porous catalysts

Hierarchically porous materials that can be used as catalysts or catalyst supports have garnered much attention due to their enhanced mass transport and multiple functionalities.Hierarchically porous catalysts integrate at least two levels of porosity and present the advantages associated with each level of porosity, from selectivity to mass transport. For example, hierarchically porous zeolites offer an effective solution to the mass transport problem associated with conventional zeolites in catalyzed reactions, because they combine the catalytic features of micropores and the improved accessibility and increased molecular transport related to the addition of several porosities within a single body. This review thoroughly summarizes recent developments that have been made in the field of hierarchically porous catalysts, with the main focus on the synthesis strategies that are available as well as their application in catalysis. It is the intent of this work to stimulate intuition into the optimal design of related hierarchically porous catalysts with desired characteristics.