title: TiO2Nanotubes Arrays Loaded with Ligand-Free Au Nanoparticles: Enhancement in Photocatalytic Activity.
abstract: A new protocol to synthesize size-controlled Au nanoparticles (NPs) loaded onto vertically aligned anatase TiO2nanotubes arrays (TNTAs) prepared by electrochemical anodization is reported. Ligand-free Au NPs (<10 nm) were deposited onto anatase TNTAs supports, finely tuning the Au loading by controlling the immersion time of the support into metal vapor synthesis (MVS)-derived Au-acetone solutions. The Au/TNTAs composites were characterized by electron microscopies (SEM, (S)TEM), X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Their photocatalytic efficiency was evaluated in toluene degradation in air under ambient conditions without thermal or chemical postsynthetic treatments. The role of Au loadings was pointed out, obtaining a three times enhancement of the pristine anatase TNTAs activity with the best sample containing 3.3 μg Au cm-2.
authors: Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari (ISTM-CNR) , Via C. Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Marcello
authors: M
authors: Marelli
authors: Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari (ISTM-CNR) , Via C. Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Evangelisti
authors: Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano ,Via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milan, Italy.
authors: Maria Vittoria
authors: MV
authors: Diamanti
authors: Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari (ISTM-CNR) , Via C. Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Vladimiro
authors: V
authors: Dal Santo
authors: Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano ,Via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milan, Italy.
authors: Maria Pia
authors: MP
authors: Pedeferri
authors: Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Milano , Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors: Claudia L
authors: CL
authors: Bianchi
authors: Istituto per le Tecnologie della Costruzione (ITC-CNR) , via Lombardia, 49, San Giuliano Milanese, I-20098 Milan, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Schiavi
authors: Istituto per le Tecnologie della Costruzione (ITC-CNR) , via Lombardia, 49, San Giuliano Milanese, I-20098 Milan, Italy.
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Strini
keywords: Au nanoparticles; anatase; electrochemical anodization; metal vapor synthesis; nanotubes arrays; photocatalysis; titanium dioxide