Facile template-free synthesis of meso-macroporous titanium phosphate with hierarchical pore structure

Meso-macroporous titanium phosphate materials with hierarchical structure have been synthesized through a facile and template-free method using titanium n-butoxide (TBT) as titanium source. Both the as-synthesized titanium phosphate and the sample after calcination at 500 °C are amorphous, as proved by the XRD measurements. The co-existence of mesopores and macropores is identified by N2 adsorption–desorption measurements, SEM and TEM methods. The formation of Ti–O–P bonds during the synthesis process was supported by FT-IR spectroscopy, and was further verified by 31P MAS NMR spectra and XPS measurements. The BET surface area of the products can be adjusted by addition of n-butanol.