Highly porous melamine-formaldehyde monoliths with controlled hierarchical porosity toward application as a metal scavenger

We report a new synthetic strategy for melamine-formaldehyde (MF) monoliths with controlled hierarchical porosity toward metal-ion scavengers. The obtained MF monoliths possessed micro-, meso- and macroporosity, which allowed efficient adsorption performance of precious metal ions in water. Applications such as recovery/removal of metal ions are expected. Hierarchically porous melamine-formaldehyde monoliths were prepared via sol-gel accompanied by phase separation, followed by a hydrothermal process. The obtained monoliths showed efficient adsorption of precious metal ions.