Synthesis and characterization of silica–titania nanocomposite via a combination of sol–gel and mechanochemical process

SiO2–TiO2 nanocomposite has been produced by a combination of sol–gel and mechanochemical process. The structural and chemical properties of the nanocomposite, produced by different milling time (1, 3, 10, and 20 h at a constant speed of 200 or 350 rpm), have been investigated and compared with its calcined counterpart (950 °C for 2 h). Variable pressure field-emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope were used to investigate surface morphology of the samples. The phases and chemical bonding of samples were, respectively, characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis was employed to estimate the particle size of the samples. Sample prepared by the longest milling time has shown the smallest particle size (∼40 nm) with SiO2 amorphous structure mixed with crystalline anatase structure. Additional Si–O–Ti bond has been detected in the sample and the observation has been explained.