Selective preparation of macroporous monoliths of conductive titanium oxides Ti _nO _{2 n -1} (n = 2, 3, 4, 6)

Monolithic conductive titanium oxides Ti _nO _2n-1 (n = 2, 3, 4, 6) with well-defined macropores have been successfully prepared as a single phase, via reduction of a macroporous TiO ₂ precursor monolith using zirconium getter. Despite substantial removal of oxide ions, all the reduced monoliths retain the macropore properties of the precursor, i.e., uniform pore size distribution and pore volume. Furthermore, compared to commercial porous Ebonex (shaped conductive Ti _nO _2n-1), the bulk densities (1.8 g cm ^-3) are half, and the porosities (60%) are about 3 times higher. The obtained Ti _nO _2n-1 (n = 2, 3, 4, 6) macroporous monoliths could find applications as electrodes for many electrochemical reactions.