Co-continuous monolithic titania prepared by organic polymer monolith as pore template

We achieved preparation of co-continuous titania based monolithic materials using several organic polymer monoliths as pore templates. Firstly, the organic polymer monoliths that had well controlled structures were prepared, and filled the pores of polymer monolith with tetra-n-butyl titanate (titan monomer). The following hydrolysis of the titan monomer resulted in titanium dioxide. The polymer monolith was removed by calcination at elevated temperature. We carefully studied the utility of polymer monolithic template, filling method of the titan monomer, and calcination conditions to realize co-continuous titania monolith. In addition, by the change of domain size (size of a skeleton + size of through a pore) of template, we were able to control domain size of the resulting titania monoliths.