Issue 75, 2014

Block copolymer–cyclodextrin supramolecular assemblies as soft templates for the synthesis of titania materials with controlled crystallinity, porosity and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Nanostructured titania materials with tunable porosity and crystalline framework were prepared in an aqueous phase by using a template-directed colloidal self-assembly strategy. The approach employs the supramolecular assemblies formed between the randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin and the block copolymer P123 as soft templates and the sol–gel synthesised TiO2 nanocrystals as building blocks. By combining X-ray diffraction, N2-adsorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy, we show that considerable control over crystallite size, polymorph content and particle morphology could be achieved by using a delicate balance between the composition and structure of the supramolecular template as well as the reaction conditions. The photocatalytic activity of these mesoporous TiO2 materials was evaluated in the photodegradation of a toxic herbicide, the phenoxyacetic acid (PAA), and was correlated to the structural and textural characteristics of the photocatalyst.

Graphical abstract: Block copolymer–cyclodextrin supramolecular assemblies as soft templates for the synthesis of titania materials with controlled crystallinity, porosity and photocatalytic activity

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Jun 2014
Accepted
19 Aug 2014
First published
19 Aug 2014

RSC Adv., 2014,4, 40061-40070

Author version available

Block copolymer–cyclodextrin supramolecular assemblies as soft templates for the synthesis of titania materials with controlled crystallinity, porosity and photocatalytic activity

A. Lannoy, R. Bleta, C. Machut, E. Monflier and A. Ponchel, RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 40061 DOI: 10.1039/C4RA05994H

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