Synthesis of phosphorus-free mesoporous titania via templating with amine surfactants

• Published in: Microporous and mesoporous materials 1999-09, Vol.30 (2), p.315-319
• Main Author: Antonelli, D.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amine surfactants; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Phosphorus-free mesoporous titania; Porous materials; Templating
• ISSN: 1387-1811; 1873-3093
• DOI: 10.1016/S1387-1811(99)00042-6

The first synthesis of non-phosphated mesoporous titanium oxide with a discernible diffraction pattern is presented. The synthesis of this material was accomplished by a modification of ligand-assisted templating in which the higher-temperature aging is conducted in the absence of water. This step was necessary to complete the condensation of the walls of the structure while also retaining the surfactant. Surface areas of over 700 m 2 g −1 were achieved in the template-free materials. Unusually, lengthening the carbon chain of the surfactant from 12 to 18 carbon atoms had little effect on the final pore size of c. 30 Å in both samples. 15N-NMR studies revealed that there was no significant ligand interaction between the titanium isopropoxide precursor and the amine template, and thus, this can be better described as neutral templating, although combination of the alkoxide with the template prior to hydrolysis was still necessary for mesostructure formation.