Periodic mesoporous titanium phosphonate hybrid materials

Periodic mesoporous titanium phosphonate materials (PMTP-1) with bridged-organic groups inside the framework are synthesized by an autoclaving process combined with the evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) strategy, with the assistance of surfactant Brij 56 (C(16)EO(10)). Sodium salt of ethylene diamine tetra(methylene phosphonic acid) (EDTMPS) is used as the coupling molecule. A typical hexagonal mesophase is confirmed by TEM, N(2) sorption and XRD analysis. The organophosphonate groups are homogeneously incorporated in the network of the mesoporous solids, as revealed by FTIR, MAS NMR, TG-DSC and XPS measurements. The calcination experiments also prove that the hexagonal mesoporous titanium phosphonates are thermally stable up to 450 degrees C, and then transformed into inorganic hexagonal mesoporous titanium phosphates. The PMTP-1 hybrid materials can be used as useful photocatalysts for organic dye degradation and also as efficient adsorbents for heavy metal ions, which follow Langmuir-type behavior exhibiting innate selective affinity for the adsorption of Cu(2+) over Pb(2+) and Cd(2+) ions, demonstrating their promising potential in environmental remediation.