porowatym

Porowatym is a synthetic porous ceramic material developed for filtration and catalysis. It features a three-dimensionally interconnected pore network within a silica-alumina matrix, providing high surface area, good thermal stability, andChemical durability suitable for harsh environments. The name Porowatym derives from the Polish word porowaty, meaning porous, used to form a neutral proper noun for the material.

History and development indicate that porowatym emerged in the early 2010s through templated sol-gel chemistry. Researchers employed sacrificial polymer spheres as porogens to create an interconnected pore network, followed by calcination to remove the templates and sintering to strengthen the structure. The approach builds on established ceramic foam and zeolite principles while targeting higher transparency of pore channels for fluid flow.

Structure and properties. Porowatym exhibits porosity around 60–75 percent by volume, with pore sizes typically in the 0.5–3 micrometer range. The material demonstrates a low to moderate bulk density (about 0.9–1.2 g/cm3), compressive strength in the 15–40 MPa range, and a maximum service temperature near 900°C. Specific surface area commonly lies between 150 and 260 m2/g. The framework shows reasonable chemical durability in acidic or basic aqueous media, with enhanced stability when doped with small amounts of alumina.

Production and processing. Fabrication uses template-assisted sol-gel methods, followed by calcination to remove templates and controlled sintering to achieve rigidity. Shaping can be accomplished by tape casting, extrusion, or emerging 3D printing techniques, enabling custom geometries for specific devices.

Applications. Porowatym serves as a catalyst support, filtration medium for fine particulates, and a porous separator in energy storage devices. It is considered particularly suitable for water treatment, gas separation, and high-surface-area catalysis, where interconnected porosity improves mass transport.

See also: Porous materials, Ceramic foams, Zeolites.