Synthesis of mesoporous SiO2 aerogel/WxTiO2 nanocomposites with high adsorptivity and photocatalytic activity

SiO2 aerogel/WxTiO2 mesoporous particles were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method. The –CH3 groups on the surface of aerogel can be decreased during hydrothermal reaction. Increasing SiO2 aerogel content promote the adsorptivity of the composite powders, and the ethanol/water volume ratio in the precursor solution have effects on the porosity of the composite powders. The synthesized SiO2 aerogel/WxTiO2 mesoporous particles exhibited higher adsorptivity and photocatalytic activity simultaneously.