A novel approach to the sol–gel synthesis of titanium dioxide-coated SBA-16 type silica mesoporous microspheres for water purification

The present work describes a novel synthesis approach for titanium dioxide coated SBA-16 type silica mesoporous microspheres. Anatase TiO2 coated SBA-16 type silica microspheres which have interesting photocatalytic properties offers the viability of the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of dyes in water. SBA-16 type silica microspheres were synthesized by a sol–gel method with Pluronic F127 employed as a structure directing agent (template) and TEOS (tetraethyl orthosilicate) as the silica source. Surface modification of the SBA-16 type silica microspheres through titanium dioxide nanocrystals resulted in a titanium dioxide coated SBA-16 silica microsphere composite material. The prepared composite material was characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis and Raman spectroscopy studies. The characterization results show that the material possesses relatively high surface area (223.48–233.08 m2/g), a periodically ordered porous nature, and anatase nanocrystalline titanium dioxide coating. Photocatalytic degradation tests show significant improvement in the photodegradation of crystal violet with increased titanium dioxide coating; further confirming the material's viability for photocatalytic degradation of light sensitive hazardous organic compounds in polluted waters. [Display omitted]