Zeolite coatings on microcellular ceramic foams: A novel route to microreactor and microseparator devices

A novel zeolite-ceramic composite monolith with a hierarchical bimodal (nano-, macroscale) pore system (see Figure) has been prepared by coating the internal cell walls of microcellular polymer-derived ceramic foams (cell size similar to8 mum) with a thin layer of MFI-type zeolite. Applications are envisaged as microreactors and microseparator devices for catalysis and adsorption/ separation because of the material's unique microstructural design.