Synthesis of Cu(II)-containing TiO2-SiO2 binary xerogels by hydrolysis of a mixture of tetrabutoxytitanium, tetraethoxysilane, and copper(II) chloride in a water-ammonia atmosphere

A Cu(II)-containing binary xerogel TiO₂-SiO₂ was synthesized by joint hydrolysis of tetrabutoxytitanium, teraethoxysilane and copper(II) chloride dissolved in their mixture. The synthesis was performed in a vapor of 10% aqueous ammonia under static conditions. EPR spectroscopy was used to examine the state of Cu(II) in the xerogel matrix. Data on specific features of the behavior of saccharose within xerogel pores under heating were obtained. The catalytic activity of the xerogel was tested by the kinetic method on model reactions of hydrogen peroxide decomposition and oxidative dehydrogenation of trimethylhydroquinone.