Mesoporous metal oxide via nanocasting: Recent advances on types of templates, properties, and catalytic activities

The burgeoning interest in mesoporous metal oxides is driven by their unique morphological, structural, electronic, and catalytic characteristics. Incorporating porosity features enhances the surface area-to-volume ratio, bolstering their efficacy in many applications. It is imperative for material scientists to meticulously engineer the porosity of these metal oxides to optimize their performance in practical applications. Among the myriad synthesis techniques, nanocasting with hard and soft templates is particularly esteemed for its precision in tailoring pore size and distribution. This review delves into the conventional pathways for fabricating various mesoporous metal oxides, which are notably challenging to synthesize due to the intricate conditions required. We examine a spectrum of templates, including but not limited to porous carbon, mesoporous silica, zeolites, surfactants, and polymers. Additionally, several physicochemical properties of various mesoporous metal oxides were explored, including their surface properties, electrical and thermal conductivity, magnetism, and catalytic performance in oxidation and reduction reactions. Finally, the paper culminates by addressing the existing challenges and elucidating prospective opportunities in the field.