Synthesis and characterization of phosphate-coated mesoporous titania and Cd-doping of same via ion-exchange

Phosphate-based mesoporous TiO2 materials were prepared by surfactant-directed method using an alkylphosphate surfactant, which produced a mesoporous titania with high surface area (∼200 m2/g) and a phosphate monolayer interface. Calcination of the as-synthesized greenbody in an ozone atmosphere generated materials with higher surface area, and higher purity, than did calcination in air. These interfacial phosphate groups are convenient functionality for chemically modifying the surface via ion-exchange processes. High doping ratios of P/Ti (0.47–0.69) and Cd/P (0.37–0.40) were observed. Materials were characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, and XPS.

Graphical abstractPhosphate-based mesoporous TiO2 was prepared, producing a structure of 400 nm hollow beads, containing interfacial phosphate groups, which are effective ion-exchange sites for transition metal cations.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide