<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Transparent TiO2 monoliths were obtained through a modified sol-gel route from titanium isopropoxide as a precursor. By controlling the hydrolysis of this precursor through the intermediate of esterification reaction between acetic acid and isopropanol at 40 °C, transparent TiO2 xerogel monoliths were obtained. The monoliths prepared by this method were transparent in the wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy suggested that the acetic acid played also an active role as a chelating agent, forming Ti[(OH)y(OOCCH3)x] less reactive species. Powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the amorphous-to-anatase phase transformation with the formation of unknown Ti-containing complex at 90 °C. Only anatase TiO2 could be observed in the samples calcined at 250 °C and 450 °C. Optical aspects of the gel (transparent-transluscent transformation of monolithic gel) and gelation time were controlled by changing the amount of external water.</abstract>

Transparent TiO2 monoliths were obtained through a modified sol-gel route from titanium isopropoxide as a precursor. By controlling the hydrolysis of this precursor through the intermediate of esterification reaction between acetic acid and isopropanol at 40 °C, transparent TiO2 xerogel monoliths were obtained. The monoliths prepared by this method were transparent in the wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy suggested that the acetic acid played also an active role as a chelating agent, forming Ti[(OH)y(OOCCH3)x] less reactive species. Powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the amorphous-to-anatase phase transformation with the formation of unknown Ti-containing complex at 90 °C. Only anatase TiO2 could be observed in the samples calcined at 250 °C and 450 °C. Optical aspects of the gel (transparent-transluscent transformation of monolithic gel) and gelation time were controlled by changing the amount of external water.

Novel and facile synthesis of transparent-monolithic TiO2 gels by sol-gel method based on an esterification reaction

Materials, Environment and Energy Laboratory

Materials Science-Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Novel and facile synthesis of transparent-monolithic TiO gels by sol-gel method based on an esterification reaction

Transparent TiO2 monoliths were obtained through a modified sol-gel route from titanium isopropoxide as a precursor. By controlling the hydrolysis of this...

Novel and facile synthesis of transparent-monolithic TiO₂ gels by sol-gel method based on an esterification reaction

Article Category: Research Article

Published Online: Sep 21, 2016

Page range: 633 - 640

Received: Jan 08, 2016

Accepted: Jul 17, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/msp-2016-0091

Keywords
sol-gel, esterification, TiO, monoliths, transparent

© 2016 Kais Elghniji et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Novel and facile synthesis of transparent-monolithic TiO2 gels by sol-gel method based on an esterification reaction

Article Category: Research Article

Published Online: Sep 21, 2016

Page range: 633 - 640

Received: Jan 08, 2016

Accepted: Jul 17, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/msp-2016-0091

Keywordssol-gel, esterification, TiO, monoliths, transparent

© 2016 Kais Elghniji et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Novel and facile synthesis of transparent-monolithic TiO₂ gels by sol-gel method based on an esterification reaction

Keywords
sol-gel, esterification, TiO, monoliths, transparent