Synthesis, structural characterization and photocatalytic activity of Ti-MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves

This paper reports the applicability of hydrothermal synthesis in alkaline medium for preparation of Ti-containing mesoporous MCM-41 materials. The influence of different parameters was investigated, such as the Ti source, the molar ratio between Si and Ti and also the synthesis temperature. Structural analysis shows that the high specific surface area, large pore size and well ordered mesostructure, are partially retained in the titania containing materials. Modifying synthesis temperature, it was shown that MCM-41 isotherms are different for temperatures above or under 140A degrees C. UV-VisDR spectroscopy was used to investigate the local environment of Ti sites. The obtained materials were evaluated for the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine 6G in aqueous medium. The best photocatalytic activity was found for the sample prepared at higher ageing temperature of 160A degrees C, at which anatase particles were formed.