Effects of precursor solution aging and other parameters on synthesis of ordered mesoporous titania powders

Evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) of ordered mesoporous titania powders using block copolymer templates Brij 58 and F127 has been studied as a function of the precursor solution composition and age as well as the evaporation conditions. Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to monitor the degree of order in the mesoporous structure of materials synthesized under these varying conditions. Also, for the first time, the time-dependent formation of Ti structures in precursor solutions and the effect of those structures on the creation of mesostructural order have been demonstrated. The interactions of the Ti precursor with Brij 58 and F127 were investigated and showed that the different templates caused formation of Ti oligomers of unique sizes and structures. Precursor solution composition and evaporation conditions were also shown to affect the order and stability of the mesoporous titania produced. Overall, this systematic study has provided fundamental insights into the synthesis conditions that maximize the degree of order and thermal stability of the final materials. These “optimal” conditions are highly dependent on the choice of template. As a result of this improved understanding, the synthesis of ordered mesoporous titania powders using the block copolymer F127 as a template has been achieved without the use of stabilizing agents for the first time. © 2015 American Chemical Societ