Preparation and improved photocatalytic activity of ordered mesoporous TiO2 by evaporation induced self-assembly technique using liquid crystal as template

Ordered mesoporous TiO2 (OMPT) was prepared by an evaporation induced self-assembly technique using liquid crystal as template. The key factors affecting the methylene blue (MB) oxidation efficiency were investigated, including the initial concentration of MB, pH value and catalyst concentration. The results show that the obtained OMPT has high thermal stability and shows a 2D hexagonal mesostructure with the small particle size and high surface area, which lead to higher degradation efficiency than commercial P25 or nanoparticle TiO2 (NPT) fabricated by sol–gel process. The optimal conditions are 5 mg/L MB, pH 6 and 1.5 g/L OMPT for the fastest rate of MB degradation. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis indicates complete mineralization of MB in 240 min by OMPT, with rate constant higher than NPT or P25.