Synthesis of TS-1 by microwave heating of template-impregnated SiO2–TiO2 xerogels

Abstract

TS-1 was prepared by microwave heating of a SiO2–TiO2 xerogel dry-impregnated with the template, TPAOH. A highly crystalline product was obtained within 30 min after microwave irradiation with yields over 90%. These are significant advantages over the TS-1 obtained by conventional oven heating using alkoxide precursors in liquid phase, which requires 1–2 day crystallization time with low product yields. Characterization of the TS-1 obtained was carried out using XRD, SEM, FT-IR, and UV-vis spectroscopy, and catalytic activity was examined for 1-hexene epoxidation using H2O2 as oxidant. These studies revealed that the material obtained by microwave heating of the mixed oxide gel shows essentially identical physicochemical properties to those prepared by conventional means.