Synthesis of Ti-Beta via mechanochemical route

A *BEA-type titanosilicate, Ti-Beta, has been synthesized by a new method using mechanochemical reaction. In this new synthesis method, titania and silica powders are used as source materials and ground by using a planetary ball mill. Thus obtained silica–titania composite is hydrothermally treated in the presence of tetraethylammonium fluoride as a structure-directing agent to obtain a Ti-Beta material. The titanosilicate samples obtained are characterized by powder X-ray diffractometry and UV–visible spectroscopy. The crystallization behaviors and the catalytic activities of Ti-Beta materials synthesized by this new method are compared with those synthesized conventionally from silicon and titanium alkoxides.