Diverse hard template synthetic methodologies are being employed for the synthesis of mesostructured metal oxide and carbon nanomaterials, with the application of mesoporous silica as the hard template. We describe the main differences and advantages/disadvantages between the soft and hard templated synthetic routes, provide an overview of the synthesis and characteristics of different templating mesoporous silica nanomaterials and discuss on practical aspects of the hard template synthetic methodology for obtaining various metal-oxide and carbon-based mesostructured nanomaterials. Also, we cover various recent applications of thus constructed mesostructured metal oxide and carbon nanomaterials, such as sensing, energy storage, fuel cells, and catalysis, which demonstrate the highly promising character of the hard template methodology for the synthesis of a new generation of nanomaterials with broad application potential.

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In this work single phase hexagonal YMnO 3 powders were prepared starting from Y(CH 3 COO) 3 Á xH 2 O, Mn(CH 3 COO) 2 Á 4H 2 O, KMnO 4 and KOH using methods of conventional (280 1C for 6 h) or microwave assisted hydrothermal synthesis (200 1C for 2 h) followed by calcination at 1200 1C for 2 h. According to FESEM analysis the calcined powders consisted of submicronic YMnO 3 particles, which were uniform in shape and size. Ceramic samples were obtained by sintering the as-synthesized powders at 1400 1C for 2 h. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of the single phase hexagonal YMnO 3 . SEM analysis showed a dense and homogeneous microstructure with typical inter-and intra-grain cracks. Magnetic measurements indicated ferrimagnetic properties that were explained by non-stoichiometry of the obtained compound and an excess of manganese that was confirmed by ICP analysis.