Mesoporous titanium dioxide materials were prepared using a nanocasting technique involving silica SBA-15 as the hard-template. At an optimal loading of titanium precursor, the hexagonal periodic array of pores in SBA-15 was retained. The phases of titanium dioxide could be easily varied by the number of impregnation cycles and the nature of titanium alkoxide employed. Low number of impregnation cycles produced mixed phases of anatase and TiO₂(B). The mesoporous TiO₂ materials were tested for solar hydrogen production, and the material consisting of 98% anatase and 2% TiO₂(B) exhibited the highest yield of hydrogen from the photocatalytic splitting of water. The periodicity of the pores was an important factor that influenced the photocatalytic activity. This study indicates that mixed phases of titania containing ordered array of pores can be prepared by using the nanocasting strategy.
Keywords: TiO2; TiO2(B); hard-template; hexagonal; hydrogen production; mesoporous; nanocasting; periodic; titanium dioxide; water-splitting.