Past, present, and future of periodic mesoporous organosilicas-the PMOs

Periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) represent an exciting new class of organic-inorganic nanocomposites targeted for a broad range of applications such as catalysis and sensing, separations, and microelectronics. Their hallmark is the presence of organic bridging groups incorporated into the channel walls of an ordered nanoporous structure, which represents a useful tool to finely tune the chemical and physical properties of the materials. We discuss the history of the discovery and development of the PMOs emphasizing the most important recent advancements regarding compositions and structures, morphologies, and properties. Furthermore, we present an outlook about the promising future perspectives of PMOs that result from the latest developments in this field.