title: A comparative study of photo-assisted deposition of silver nanoparticles on TiO2.
abstract: Noble metals deposited on TiO2 act as electron traps facilitating electron-hole separation and promoting the interfacial electron transfer process. In particular, silver nanoparticles have the ability to absorb visible light due to localized surface plasmon resonance. Here we report a photochemical and photocatalytic method for depositing Ag nanoparticles (2-20 nm) on TiO2 by using UV light at room temperature. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time-resolved microwave conductivity were used as characterization techniques. The photocatalytic activity was investigated by measuring the decomposition of rhodamine B under UV and visible light irradiation. The fastest bleaching of RhB under visible-light irradiation has been obtained by Ag/TiO2 plasmonic photocatalyst prepared by the photocatalytic route. These results were explained in terms of the more efficient photon absorption due to the presence of the surface plasmon resonance.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Catálisis y Materiales, ESIQIE-Instituto Politécnica Nacional, Zacatenco, 07738 México D.F, Mexico.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Albiter
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alfaro
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Remita
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Valenzuela
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colbeau-Justin
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: C009495:titanium dioxide; D012834:Silver; D014025:Titanium