a method and porous multi - component material for the capture , separation or chemical reaction of a species of interest is disclosed . the porous multi - component material includes a substrate and a composite thin film . the composite thin film is formed by combining a porous polymer with a nanostructured material . the nanostructured material may include a surface chemistry for the capture of chemicals or particles . the composite thin film is coupled to the support or device surface . the method and material provides a simple , fast , and chemically and physically benign way to integrate nanostructured materials into devices while preserving their chemical activity .