Preparation of porous titania particles by partial dissolution and heat treatment of hydrous titania

Abstract

Porous titania particles were prepared by partial dissolution of hydrous titania and subsequent heat treatment. Uniform and spherical particles of hydrous titania were prepared by hydrolysis of titanium alkoxide at different hydrolysis conditions. The as-prepared hydrous titania particles were soaked in ethanol to dissolve the weakly polycondensed part of the particles. As a result, meso- and macroporous structures were formed on the surface of the hydrous titania particles that were prepared by mild hydrolysis. The porous structure was retained even after heat treatment at 400°C while the particles crystallized into the anatase phase. The specific surface area of the porous titania particles prepared by heat treatment of hydrous titania at 400°C for 15 min was 121 m²/g.