Abstract
Metal–semiconductor nanocomposites have become interesting materials for the development of new photocatalytic hybrids. Along these lines, plasmonic nanoparticles have proven to be particularly efficient photosensitizers due to their ability to transfer plasmonic hot electrons onto large bandgap semiconductors such as TiO2, thus extending the activity of the latter into a broader range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The extent of this photosensitization process can be substantially enhanced in those geometries in which high electromagnetic fields are created at the metal–semiconductor interface. In this manner, the formation of plasmonic hot spots can be used as a versatile tool to engineer the photosensitization process in this family of hybrid materials. Herein, we introduce the use of titanate nanowires as ideal substrates for the assembly of Au nanorods and TiO2 nanoparticles, leading to the formation of robust hybrids with improved photocatalytic properties. Our approach shows that the correct choice of the individual units together with their rational assembly are of paramount importance in the development of complex nanostructures with advanced functionalities.
Highlights
The combination of nanomaterials with different compositions and functionalities has proven to be a promising method to unravel new features and promote the appearance of synergistic effects at the nanoscale
We report the use of titanate nanowires (Ti NWs) as advantageous substrates for the development of hybrid photocatalysts
transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman were used for an in-depth characterization of the chemical and structural properties of these objects
Summary
The combination of nanomaterials with different compositions and functionalities has proven to be a promising method to unravel new features and promote the appearance of synergistic effects at the nanoscale. The narrow gaps created through the controlled assembly of plasmonic objects can result in a further enhancement effect [9,10] These examples show that a rational design of the hybrid photocatalyst and the specific combination of the different components, can lead to better physical interactions, with consequent improved photocatalytic capabilities. We replaced those hollow nanostructures with titanate nanowires (Ti NWs), a material that presents improved crystallinity and larger diameters, while keeping extremely high aspect ratios with lengths above the micrometer scale Such characteristics confer titanate nanowires with enhanced mechanical capabilities, allowing the adsorption of pre-synthesized objects and a more versatile control over the final properties of the composite material. The excess of reagents was removed by three centrifugation–redispersion cycles with water (6000 rpm, 20 min)
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