Biomimetic Synthesis and Characterization of Mesoporous Titanium Dioxide

Mesoporous titanium dioxide (TiO2) with a pore size range from 5–7 nm was synthesized by a sol‐gel method using biosurfactant phosphatidylcholines as an organic template. Titanium tetrabutoxide (TBOT) was used as the precursor. A very fine mesoporous structure formed in the particle was maintained after a heat treatment at 700 °C. Low‐angle X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and a pore size distribution curve revealed the existence of the mesoporous structure. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms were utilized for further characterization. A significant red shift in the UV‐VIS spectrum of the porous material was observed, which could be explained by the energy band theory. The results confirmed the synthesis of mesoporous TiO2. Mesoporous TiO2 polycrystals of anatase and rutile phases are synthesized by a sol‐gel method using PC as a biosurfactant. TEM, XRD N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and UV‐VIS spectroscopy studies confirm the synthesis of mesoporous TiO2.