The green synthesis of Ag-loaded photocatalyst via DBD cold plasma assisted deposition of Ag nanoparticles on N-doped TiO2 nanotubes

Abstract

It is the development trend of science and industry to develop green preparation technology and reduce the emission of harmful substances in the production process. Herein, atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) cold plasma treatment was applied for deposition of Ag nanoparticles on N-doped TiO2 nanotubes for the first time. This method is green and efficient without the use of any environmentally and biologically hazardous reducing chemicals. The supported silver ions are completely reduced to Ag0 by H2 DBD plasma treatment, and the AgNPs with average particle size of 5.8 nm can even be dispersed evenly on the inner walls of TiO2 nanotubes rather than just on the outer walls. We reviewed the preparation of noble metal catalysts by plasma reduction and the reaction mechanisms were also disscussed.