Facile Preparation of Hierarchically Porous TiO2 Monoliths

Monolithic titania (TiO2) with multiscale porous structures have been successfully prepared via the sol-gel route accompanied by phase separation utilizing a chelating agent and mineral salt. The TiO2 gels obtained possess well-defined macropores derived from spinodal decomposition and mesopores as interstices of anatase TiO2 nanocrystallites. Most of the chelating agent were removed by hydrolysis and subsequent decarbonation through the gradual solvent exchange from ethanol to water. The TiO2 particles comprising TiO2 gel skeletons spontaneously converted from amorphous to anatase through the solvent exchange process in a mild condition at 60 degrees C. The present method of the fabrication of porous TiO2 monoliths is advantageous for widespread applications because the reaction occurs under an almost neutral condition and does not require a hydrothermal process, which was indispensable to strengthen the monolith in the method previously reported.