Facile and Generalized Preparation of Hierarchically Mesoporous−Macroporous Binary Metal Oxide Materials

A family of binary oxide compositions, including titania−zirconia, titania−alumina, alumina−zirconia, zirconia−silica, and alumina−silica, with a hierarchically bimodal mesoporous−macroporous structure has been prepared. The macropores are in one-dimensional orientation, parallel with each other, and the macroporous framework is composed of interconnected wormhole-like mesopores. The mesopore sizes of the binary oxides, as well as macropore sizes, could be tailored by the variation of the molar ratios of the metal precursors. The crystalline phase modification was observed in these binary oxides. The role of surfactant molecules in the creation of the porous hierarchy has been discussed. These meso−macroporous binary oxides show higher surface areas, larger pore volumes, and higher thermal stabilities than single metal oxides, exhibiting efficient potential of applications, especially in catalysis.