Abstract: The present disclosure provides a porous silica having an average pore diameter of from 20 to 450 ?, a median (D50) pore diameter of from 20 to 450 ?, a pore volume of from 0.15 to 1.2 cm3 g?1, a surface area of from 100 to 600 m2 g?1, and a span of 0.80 or less. The present disclosure also provides a method of producing the porous silica. The method includes the step of mixing together an aqueous phase comprising nanoparticulate silica and an organic phase to form a water-in-oil dispersion or emulsion. The organic phase includes an organic solvent that is insoluble or partially soluble in water and optionally also includes a non-polar organic compound that is insoluble in water and at least partially soluble in the organic solvent. A gelling agent is present in the aqueous phase such that the nanoparticulate silica gels form the porous silica.