Preparation, characterization, and photocatalytic activity of mesoporous TiO2 thin films

Cubic-based ordered mesoporous TiO2 thin films were prepared by an evaporation-induced self-assembly method through a carefully controlling the hydrolysis/condensation conditions. The obtained sample exhibits mesoporous structure with a narrow pore size distribution. The TiO2 thin films have thick inorganic walls composed of nanocrystalline anatase. A reasonable explanation is also proposed to elucidate the formation of thick and stable mesoporous TiO2 films. The mesoporous TiO2 exhibits good photocatalytic activity. Nearly all the methyl orange has been degraded by the mesoporous TiO2 calcined at 500 degrees C.