the disclosure describes a method to fabricate nanostructures containing isotropically distributed , interconnected pores having cross - sectional diameters in the nanometer and angstrom range by integrating the steps of attriting precursor nanometer - sized particulate materials , desorbing the exposed surfaces of the attrited nanoparticulates , adsorbing a surfactant on 25 - 50 % of the desorbed surfaces and dispersing the surfactant - coated nanoparticulates in an organic matrix to form a homogeneous thermoplastic compound from which green nanostructures are formed , dewaxed and sintered to the desired degree of microporosity .