View article

In this paper, we report a synchronous role of coupled adsorption and photocatalytic oxidation on ordered 2-D hexagonal mesoporous TiO₂–SiO₂ nanocomposites with large pore channels (>4.0nm) and high specific surface areas (>70m²g⁻¹). These mesoporous frameworks consist of anatase TiO₂ nanocrystals and amorphous SiO₂ nanomatrixes, which link mutually, coexist to form unique composite-walls, providing unprecedented spaces for “the synchronous role of coupled adsorption and photocatalytic oxidation”. SiO₂ nanomatrixes are excellent adsorbents, providing better adsorption centers and enriching organic pollutant molecules; while anatase nanocrystals behave as photocatalytic active sites to oxide the organic molecules pre-enriched by the surrounding SiO₂ particles. Moreover, the high accessible surface areas can provide more adsorptive and photocatalytically active sites; and the large …