Two-dimensional mesoporous materials: From fragile coatings to flexible membranes

This paper reviews the progress of two-dimensional mesoporous materials including their synthesis strategy, mesostructure, composition, surface property, flexibility, and potential applications. During the past two decades, research on two-dimensional mesoporous materials has experienced an evolution from fragile coatings to flexible membranes. Aiming at practical applications, it is significant to support mesoporous materials with proper matrices for example porous membranes especially flexible ones to form mesoporous composite membranes with designed pore size and chemistry. (C) 2013 Zhen-Zhong Yang. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.