Colloidal aspects relating to direct incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles into mesoporous spheres by an aerosol-assisted process

Titania nanoparticles have been incorporated into spherical mesoporous silica powders by an aerosol-assisted synthesis process from both aqueous and ethanol-based precursor dispersions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the titania nanoparticles exist as single particles or small aggregates within the mesoporous carrier particles and analysis of the nitrogen adsorption isotherms proved that the pore blocking of the particles is small. Particle size and zeta potential measurements showed that the addition of tetraethoxysiloxane (TEOS), and also hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (C16TAB) induced flocculation of the TiO2 nanoparticles. The higher yield and narrower size distribution of the composite powder produced from ethanol-based dispersions compared to the aqueous dispersions could be related to a smaller degree of aggregation, indicated by rheological measurements.

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