Effects of additives and solvents on the gel formation rate and on the texture of P- and Si-doped TiO2 materials

Organic/inorganic hybrid TiO2 xerogels have been synthesized from titanium tetraisopropoxide and an organosilylated or organophosphorylated additive either in 2-methoxyethanol or isopropanol. The mechanisms of formation of the gels have been studied before gelation by liquid NMR spectroscopy and connected to their structure after drying analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, solid state NMR and N2 adsorption/desorption. The effects of the additives and solvents on the gel formation rate and on the texture of the xerogel have been addressed.