Cubic mesoporous silica having a substantially cylindrical morphology is a second structure-oriented template such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide, water, and second such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in the substantial absence of alcohol solvents. Can be prepared using a combination of a structure-oriented template, a form-oriented template such as a poloxamer having a weight average molecular weight in the range of 5,000 to 20,000 daltons, and a silica source. The resulting material can exhibit a three-dimensional channel structure, a length of 3-10 micrometers, and a width of 300 nanometers-10 micrometers, resulting in an aspect ratio of 1-300. Further characterization can include a surface area of 1300-1500 square meters per gram, an average pore diameter of 20-26 Angstroms, and an average pore volume in the range of 0.7-1.1 cubic centimeters per gram. These materials are useful for molecular transfer and release applications in a variety of uses including, for example, membrane separation, metal uptake, electronic devices, drug delivery, and adsorption. [Selection figure] None
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