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

The first synthesis of non-phosphated mesoporous titanium oxide with a disc ernible diffraction pattern is presented. The synthesis of this material wa s accomplished by a modification of ligand-assisted templating in which the higher-temperature aging is conducted in the absence of water. This step w as necessary to complete the condensation of the walls of the structure whi le 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 th e final pore size of c. 30 Angstrom in both samples. N-15-NMR studies revea led that there was no significant ligand interaction between the titanium i sopropoxide 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 form ation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science R.V. All rights reserved.