Characterization and photocatalytic activity of mesoporous TiO2 prepared from an ethanol–diethyl ether binary solvent system

Mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared via a sol–gel process using tetra-n-butyl titanate as a titanium source and ethanol–diethyl ether as a binary solvent system at room temperature. The structure of the nanoparticles was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, and N2 adsorption–desorption analysis. These mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles were of anatase form and featured an ordered pore size distribution. The photocatalytic degradation ability of the mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles was superior to that of commercial TiO2 P-25.