| Abstract: | SiO2-TiO2 binary oxides are typically used as solid supports for different applications, from catalysts to optics. Tailoring the pore diameter, pore size distribution, and surface area is of great importance for any of those applications. Tailoring the chemical properties of the porous surface, e.g. in terms of polarity or acidity, is of capital importance as well. Thus, in catalytic applications or in sensing devices, where diffusion of a solute through the matrix is required, the affinity/compatibility of the solute with the matrix porous surface will determine the proper work of the device. Moreover, when the sensor is based on the adsorption of an active organic molecule or biomolecule on the porous surface matrix, the proton concentration at the surface may also modify the behavior of the active molecule. In this work, the proton affinity of the porous surface is tailored by the preparation of number of SiO2-TiO2 binary oxides with different SiO2/TiO2 weight ratios. Proton affinity is studied through the incorporation of a pH indicator as bromocresol green. |
