Surfactant-Templated Synthesis and Catalytic Properties of Patterned Nanoporous Titania Supports Loaded with Platinum Nanoparticles

Hexagonally patterned porous titania is synthesized from a titanium isopropoxide precursor using a viscous surfactant template separating nanoscopic bicontinuous channels of water and isooctane. Subsequent salt reduction in the aqueous nanochannels decorates the pore surfaces with well-separated platinum (Pt) nanoparticles. Because of the decreased mass transfer resistance provided by the patterned and interconnected macropores that persist throughout the support, these nanocomposites exhibit a significantly higher carbon monoxide oxidation efficiency than that obtained with a commercial support that has a fourfold larger specific surface area. This simple templated synthesis strategy for creating highly organized composites has wide applications beyond the one reported here, including photocatalysis, photonic crystals, sensors, and solar cell assemblies.