Synthesis of high specific surface area titania monolith by addition of poly (ethylene oxide)

The macro-mesoporously bimodal titania monolith with high surface area was synthesised via a template-free sol–gel route using titanium isopropoxide as titania source and poly(ethylene oxide) as an improver of the pore structure and specific surface area. The effects of poly(ethylene oxide) on the shape and specific surface area of the titania monolith were determined. The titania monolith was characterised by scanning electron microscope, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method and ultraviolet diffuse reflectance spectra measurements. The obtained titania monolith shows excellent surface properties with macropore of 2 µm, mean pore size of 15·2 nm, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 110·3 m2 g−1, cumulative pore volume of 0·32 mL g−1 and a narrow pore size distribution after 350°C calcination.