Novel synthesis of high-surface-area ordered mesoporous TiO2 with anatase framework for photocatalytic applications

Ordered mesoporous TiO2 materials with an anatase frameworks have been synthesized by using a cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (C16TMABr) as a structure-directing agent and soluble peroxytitanates as Ti precursor through a self-assembly between the positive charged surfactant S+ and the negatively charged inorganic framework I− (S+I− type). The low-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the as-prepared mesoporous TiO2 materials indicates a hexagonal mesostructure. XRD and transmission electron microscopy results and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms measurements indicate that the calcined mesoporous TiO2 possesses an anatase crystalline framework having a maximum pore size of 6.9 nm and a maximum Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area of 284 m2 g−1. This ordered mesoporous anatase TiO2 also demonstrates a high photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue under ultraviolet irradiation.

Graphical abstractOrdered mesoporous TiO2 materials with an anatase framework and a hexagonal mesostructure showing efficient photocatalytic efficiency have been successfully synthesized via a cationic surfactant-assisted sol–gel synthesis under hydrothermal condition.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide