| abstract |
Porous ceramics having high porosity and a narrow pore size distribution are obtained by preparing a dilute slurry by mixing a ceramic raw material with a solution of such an organic high-molecular compound as ammonium alginate, which is capable of being gelled by reaction with an acid or a di- or more-valent cation, or by being heated or cooled. The slurry is contacted with a liquid or gel in which the acid or a di- or more-valent cation is present, or is heated or cooled to obtain a green ceramic gel body, and the obtained body fired. A hybrid porous ceramic is obtained if the slurry contains a di- or more-valent cation compound as a gelling agent. The porous ceramics have improved resistance and mechanical strength, typically compression strength, and a narrower pore size distribution, thus being suitable as catalyst carriers for high-temperature purposes or as carriers for bioreactors. |