Synthesis and characterization of titanium-containing mesoporous silica bya non-hydrothermal microwave method

We report on a new method for preparing mesoporous silica and titanium-cont aining mesoporous silica using microwave (MW) synthesis under non-hydrother mal conditions. The materials were characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorptio n, UV-vis and FTIR techniques, and compared with a sample prepared by the c onventional method. A single peak at 2 theta = 2.4 degrees in the XRD patte rn showed the formation of mesoporous silica. A typical isotherm, character istic of a mesoporous material where pore filling occurred at p/p(o) in the range of 0.2-0.3 was obtained for nitrogen sorption. UV-vis diffused refle ctance spectra showed bands at 210-220 nm and a shoulder at 270 nm, indicat ing the presence of Si-O-Ti bonds for titanium-containing mesoporous silica . This new method has been observed to have inherent advantages over report ed methods, such as instant start up, a short heating time and low cost. Th ese mesoporous titanosilicates prepared using a microwave heat energy sourc e are active in the oxidation of 2,6-diisopropylpheno1 (DIPP) and 2,6-di-t- butylphenol (DTBP) with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant.