makroporösen

Makroporös, or macroporous, describes materials that possess pores larger than roughly 50 nanometers in diameter. This macroporosity creates open, interconnected pore networks that enable rapid mass transport and high permeability, distinguishing macroporous materials from microporous (<2 nm) and mesoporous (2-50 nm) counterparts. Macroporosity can be present in ceramics, polymers, metals, carbon, and composite materials.

Primary features include pore sizes from tens of nanometers to millimeters, high void fraction, interconnected porosity, and often three-dimensional architectures. Open porosity supports fluid flow and diffusion, while closed or isolated pores limit transport. The mechanical properties depend on material and lattice geometry; macroporous foams or lattices balance stiffness, lightness, and toughness.

Fabrication methods include sacrificial templating with colloidal spheres or salt crystals, freeze-drying or ice templating, gas foaming, phase separation, and additive manufacturing to produce designed macroporous lattices. Post-synthesis templated materials remove the template to leave an open pore network.

Applications span catalysis and adsorption of bulky molecules, chromatography supports, filtration, and tissue engineering scaffolds where interconnected pores permit cell infiltration and vascularization. Macroporous carbon and ceramics are used in energy storage, sensors, and lightweight structural components.

Characterization relies on imaging (SEM, micro-CT) and porosimetry to determine pore size distribution and open porosity. Challenges include achieving uniform pore size, maintaining mechanical integrity at high porosity, and balancing surface area with macroporosity.