Mixed TiO2–SiO2 mesostructured thin films

Mixed TiO2–SiO2 thin layers exhibiting an ordered mesoporosity are prepared for future photocatalytic applications. They are synthesized from a nanocrystalline anatase hydrosol, tetraethylorthosilicate as silica source and triblock copolymers as mesostructuring agent. It has been previously demonstrated that the preparation of mesoporous anatase-based thin layers is possible at low temperature (423 K) by using the photodegradation of the templating mesophases. Layer consolidation is required before a possible application. Polymerized silica can be used as inorganic binder to improve the stability of such low-temperature layers. The effect of addition of silica on the crystalline structure, on the mesostructure, on the porosity and on the photocatalytic activity is here presented and discussed.