title: Photocatalytic hybrid Au/ZnO nanoparticles assembled through a one-pot method.
abstract: Growth of metal domains on semiconductor nanoparticles is known to enhance their photocatalytic properties. We prepared ZnO nanoparticles decorated with metallic Au domains through a new one-pot microwave-based strategy. The synthetic route utilized microwave-heating of a mixture of only three components: Zn(2+) salt, Au(SCN)4(-) which served as a precursor for metallic gold, and Tris base. The Tris molecules had a dual role in the process, both shaping the morphology of the ZnO particles, as well as constituting docking and nucleation sites for the Au(SCN)4(-) ions. The Au complex subsequently underwent spontaneous crystallization/reduction without co-addition of reducing or stabilizing agents, yielding Au nanoparticles attached to the ZnO surface. We show that the hybrid Au/ZnO nanoparticles exhibited enhanced photocatalytic properties compared to the plain ZnO nanoparticles.
authors: Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
authors: Joydeb
authors: J
authors: Manna
authors: Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
authors: T P
authors: TP
authors: Vinod
authors: Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
authors: Kobi
authors: K
authors: Flomin
authors: Department of Chemistry and Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel. Electronic address: razj@bgu.ac.il.
authors: Raz
authors: R
authors: Jelinek
keywords: Au nanoparticles; Au thiocyanate; Hybrid Au oxide nanoparticles; Photocatalysis; Zinc oxide nanoparticles