Synthesis of 2D-hexagonally ordered mesoporous niobium and tantalum mixed oxide

A well ordered 2D-hexagonal mesoporous niobium and tantalum (Nb : Ta = 1 : 1) mixed oxide (denoted mesoporous NbTa oxide) was successfully prepared. Pore size, pore volume and wall thickness of the mesoporous NbTa oxide were found to be strongly affected by the amounts of water and metal sources in a starting ethanol solution involving non-ionic surfactant P123. X-Ray diffraction, N-2 sorption, and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that a hexagonally ordered mesoporous NbTa oxide could be synthesized by appropriate control of the preparation conditions.