New methods to remove the templates from porous materials with high porosity and poor structural stability have been proposed in the light of analysis of the decomposition process of the organic templates. Microwave irradiation and two-step calcination are shown to be more favorable than conventional calcination in that the new methods have beneficial effects on both the structural order and surface acidity. Two-step calcination is particularly effective because it is more convenient and reproducible than microwave irradiation. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.