Abstract
Several monolithic porous materials have been developed through polymerization of molecular precursors in liquid media by adequately controlling the polymerization behavior and phase separation. New transparent and low-density methylsilsesquioxane aerogels, in particular, show unusual flexibility against compression, which allows evaporative drying to obtain aerogel-like xerogels under ambient conditions. Macroporous titania monoliths are prepared in mild conditions by controlling the reactivity of titanium(IV) alkoxide with chelating agent and catalytic amount of mineral salt. Macroporous organic crosslinked polymers are successfully obtained from multi-vinyl precursors by controlled/living radical polymerization, and further processed into monolithic activated carbons. Several possible applications of obtained materials will also be discussed.