Synthesis and characterization of mesostructured titania-based materials through evaporation-induced self-assembly

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 m(2) g(-1)) mesoporous titania, with 20-25 Angstrom 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.