Abstract
Direct reaction of a colloidal suspension of an exfoliated layered titanate with an aluminium polyoxocation solution produced an ordered phase with a large basal spacing of 2.6 nm. Taking into account the starting Al/titanate molar ratio this swelling can be ascribed to the intercalation of double layers of Al13 polyoxocations between the titanate sheets. Heat-treatment at 600 °C resulted in an alumina-pillared titanate with specific surface areas ranging from 270 to 300 m2 g−1 and a pore volume of 0.25 mL g−1 (liquid