Synthesis and visible-light-induced catalytic activity of Ag2S-coupled TiO2 nanoparticles and nanowires.
We present the synthesis and visible-light-induced catalytic activity of Ag(2)S-coupled TiO(2) nanoparticles (NPs) and TiO(2) nanowires (NWs). Through a simple wet chemical process from a mixture of peroxo titanic acid (PTA) solution, thiourea and AgAc, a composite of Ag(2)S NPs and TiO(2) NPs with sizes of less than 7 nm was formed. When the NP composite was further treated with NaOH solution followed by annealing at ambient conditions, a new nanocomposite material comprising Ag(2)S NPs on TiO(2) NWs was created. Due to the coupling with such a low bandgap material as Ag(2)S, the TiO(2) nanocomposites could have a visible-light absorption capability much higher than that of pure TiO(2). As a result, the synthesized Ag(2)S/TiO(2) nanocomposites exhibited much higher catalytic efficiency for the decomposition of methyl orange than commercial TiO(2) (Degussa P25, Germany) under visible light.
Xie
Yi
Y
Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 373-1 Guseong, Yuseong, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea.
Heo
Sung Hwan
SH
Kim
Yong Nam
YN
Yoo
Seung Hwa
SH
Cho
Sung Oh
SO