Structure and Adsorption Properties of Photoactive Mesoporous Titania–Silica Systems Obtained by the Hydrolysis of Titanium Tetrachloride in the Presence of Fine Silica

Photocatalytic mesoporous titania–silica systems were prepared by the hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride in aqueous dispersions of fine silica. IR spectroscopy was used to show the formation of ≡ Si—O—Ti ≡ bonds in theTiO 2 –SiO 2 composites. Structure and adsorption techniques were used to establish that the size of the primary fine silica particles determines the crystal structure of titanium dioxide in the composites as well as the porous structure and photochemical properties of the composites.