Synthesis and characterization of plasmonic Au/TiO2 nanorod solids for heterogeneous photocatalysis

Plasmonic Au (1 wt%) catalysts deposited on hydrothermally synthesized TiO2 nanorods (TNR) were investigated in this study. Based the duration of mixing precursor/TNR suspension during wet impregnation synthesis and parameters end calcination, Au/TiO2 with different sizes nanoparticles (Au NPs) obtained. The prepared solids thoroughly characterized by several instrumental techniques to investigate property-activity relationships. Regardless size particles catalyst surface, an absorption peak at 550 nm occurred all UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra catalysts, which is characteristic localized surface plasmon resonance effect exerted metallic NPs. By measuring formation reactive oxygen species under visible-light illumination using various scavengers, production superoxide anion radicals (O2•) hydroxyl identified, however, former found represent main that govern oxidation aqueous bisphenol A (BPA) employed as a model organic pollutant. activity for generation O2• (and BPA oxidation) increases increasing Schottky barrier height, due slow reduction water-dissolved O2 surface.