Effects of aging conditions on the structural properties of mesoporous SiO 2 /TiO 2 composite materials with crystallized framework

Well-organized mesoporous SiO 2 /TiO 2 materials with crystallized framework were synthesized. The resultant materials showed high surface area (180–300 m 2 /g), narrow pore-size distribution (3.5–6 nm), and nanocrystalline framework. The influences of aging conditions on the mesoporous 80TiO 2 –20SiO 2 materials were investigated. The water in the initial solution is beneficial for the mesostructural organization of the as-prepared sample while air moisture (relative humidity) during the aging process plays a key role in the crystallization of the calcined sample. Low aging temperature is another decisive factor to the formation of the mesostructure.