title: Shape transformation and relaxation dynamics of photoexcited TiO2/Ag nanocomposites.
abstract: The laser-induced sintering of TiO2 nanoparticles into larger nanospheres is accelerated by adsorbed silver particles. For the same weight fraction of silver, silver nanoparticles of 5 nm in diameter modify TiO2 nanoparticles more effectively than those of 1.5 nm do, suggesting that the photocatalysis of TiO2 nanoparticles as well as their stability is highly dependent on the sizes, the shapes, and the distribution of adsorbed metal nanoparticles. The photoexcited electrons of TiO2 nanoparticles are quenched at trap sites and surface states by transfer to the conduction band of silver, implying that the presence of adsorbed silver nanoparticles enhances the photocatalytic effect of TiO2.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, Seoul National University, NS60, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
authors.forename: Mee Rahn
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chil Seong
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ah
authors.forename: Dongha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Sang Kyung
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Wan In
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Du-Jeon
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jang