Macroporous TiO2 foam with mesoporous walls

We demonstrate a simple route for the preparation of new three-dimensionally interconnected hierarchically porous anatase TiO2 foams via a dual-templating approach. The macropores in TiO2 foams are induced through a process of sintering the polyurethane foams template, while a surfactant templating agent promotes the formation of mesopores in the walls of a macroporous monolith of TiO2 foam. The macropore sizes of interconnected networks can be tuned by varying the pores per linear inch of polyurethane foams. This single step method of synthesis from cheap commercially available chemicals is suitable for mass production of three-dimensionally interconnected macro/mesoporous TiO2 foams.

► New hierarchically porous TiO2 foams were synthesized by sol–gel template method. ► Polyurethane foams as a hard template and EO106PO70EO106 as a soft template ► Suitable method for mass production with cheap chemicals ► The method could be extended to synthesis of other hierarchical porous oxides.