Synthesis and characterization of amorphous TiO2 with wormhole-like framework mesostructure

Using neutral amine surfactant (dodecylamine) as an organic template and neutral inorganic material (tetrabutyl titanate) as a precursor, amorphous TiO2 with wormhole-like framework mesostructure was synthesized with the variation of surfactant-to-Ti alkoxide ratios. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transformed infrared spectra, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption–desorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been used to characterize the TiO2 mesostructure. The interaction between surfactant and titanium dioxide was displayed by XPS. The samples exhibit a wormhole-like framework from XRD patterns and TEM images, and high surface area (221 m2/g) for the sample calcined at 450 °C for 2 h. The formation of the titanium oxide mesostructure is proposed to be due to the presence of the interactions between surfactant head group and inorganic precursors prior to hydrolysis, and the condensation under condition favorable for liquid crystal formation.