A method of preparing mesoporous inorganic oxide spherical particles includes providing a reaction mixture capable of producing mesoporous inorganic oxide spheres; heating the reaction mixture to produce mesostructured inorganic oxide particles and removing organic material from the mesostructured inorganic oxide particles to form the mesoporous inorganic oxide spherical particles. In one embodiment a reaction mixture includes a proton donor, a source of inorganic oxide, and a source of fluoride. In another embodiment a reaction mixture includes a proton donor, a source of inorganic oxide, and an alcohol. Mesoporous inorganic oxide spheres produced by the method of the present invention are also provided.