Synthesis and Characterization of Mesostructured Titania-Based Materials through Evaporation-Induced Self-Assembly

Abstract

Mesostructured TiO2−hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide hybrid powders, displaying a bidimensional hexagonal pattern (p6m), have been synthesized by an evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) method, in ethanol/HCl/H2O media. Thermal treatment of these “titaniatropic” hybrid phases leads to phosphorus-free, high surface area (280−370 m2 g-1) mesoporous titania, with 20−25 Å pores. The role of the synthesis parameters (surfactant and acid concentrations and temperature) is thoroughly discussed to understand their influence on the hybrid mesostructures. It is suggested that hydrophilic Ti-oxo nanometric building blocks formed in the acidic synthesis conditions self-assembly upon solvent evaporation to produce organized structures.