An ultra-low hydrolysis sol-gel route for titanosilicate xerogels and their characterization

In this work TiO₂-SiO₂ xerogels were prepared through an ultra low hydrolysis method using titanium and silicon alkoxide. The samples were heat treated to 500°C. The xerogels were characterized using TGA/DTA, FTIR, XRD and TEM. The samples showed the formation of Si–O–Ti bridges by its characteristic vibration within 925–960 cm⁻¹ range. Si–O–Si bond angles were calculated using the central force network model. The TiO₂ in all the samples crystallized on heat treatment to 500°C. The crystallite size calculated using the Scherer formula from the XRD was verified from the Transmission Electron Micrograph. Samples heat treated to 350°C remained amorphous and hence could be used as hosts for biomaterials and organic optical materials.