title: Bimetallic core/shell nanoparticle-decorated 3D urchin-like hierarchical TiO2 nanostructures with magneto-responsive and decolorization characteristics.
abstract: The semiconductors decorated with noble metals or magnetic metals have attracted increasing attention due to multifunctional properties. In this article, we prepare novel bimetallic core/shell nanoparticle (Co@Au and Co@Ag)-decorated 3D urchin-like hierarchical TiO2 nanostructures through combining electroless plating and in situ replacement processes. The morphology and structure are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and a surface area analyzer. It demonstrates that Co@Au and Co@Ag nanoparticles are uniformly decorated on urchin-like TiO2 nanostructures. The composite nanostructures show not only surface plasmon absorption band from Au or Ag but also a magneto-responsive characteristic from Co. This allows composite nanostructures to exhibit advantages including enhanced decolorization efficiency compared to pure TiO2 nanostructures and facile separation from a solution by magnetic field.
authors: Department of Applied Physics, Smart Materials Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072 China.
authors: Liqin
authors: L
authors: Xiang
authors: Department of Applied Physics, Smart Materials Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072 China.
authors: Shuo
authors: S
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Applied Physics, Smart Materials Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072 China.
authors: Jianbo
authors: J
authors: Yin
authors: Department of Applied Physics, Smart Materials Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072 China.
authors: Xiaopeng
authors: X
authors: Zhao
keywords: Bimetallic nanoparticles; Decolorization; Magnetic response; Surface plasmon resonance; Urchin-like TiO2