Abstract: The macroporous TiO2 photocatalyst was synthesized using spherical polymethyl methacrylate particles as the template and Ti(OBu)4 as the raw material by the sol-gel method. The samples were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry-differential thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and N2 adsorption. The characteristic pore structure with about 200 nm spherical voids was obtained after calcination. The contents of anatase and rutile in the TiO2 nanocrystals of the macroporous TiO2 photocatalyst were 82% and 18%, respectively. The experiment of photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange showed that the macroporous TiO2 photocatalyst has a high photocatalytic activity.

Key words: titania, polymethyl methacrylate, macroporous material, photocatalysis, methyl orange