Abstract: Mesoporous titania spheres were prepared by modi?ed sol–gel method using chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)
hydrogel beads as a template. Effects of calcination temperature on physical
parameters were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra,
thermogravimetry and differential thermal analyses (TG-DTA), high-resolution
transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy
(SEM). The photocatalytic activity of mesoporous titania spheres prepared was
also evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of phenol as a model molecule
under UV irradiation. With increasing calcination temperature, average
crystallite size and pore size increased. In contrast, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller
(BET) specific surface areas, porosity and pore volumes steadily decreased. Results
of characterization proved that prepared titania spheres with highly organized
pores were mesoporous structure. The photocatalytic activity of mesoporous
titania spheres calcined at 500°C was more effective than those calcined at
other temperatures, which were attributed to the porous structure, large BET
surface area, crystalline, and smaller crystallite size. This work may provide
new insights into the preparation of novel mesoporous titania spheres and
further practical applications in the treatment of wastewater.