Fabrication, characterization and photocatalytic properties of Au/TiO2-WO3 nanotubular composite synthesized by photo-assisted deposition and electrochemical anodizing methods

• DOI: 10.1016/j.molcata.2016.03.024
• Publication Date: 2016-03-11T12:35:53Z
• Authors: Mohamad Mohsen Mo...; Yousef Ghayeb
• Keywords: Anodizing; Visible spectrum; Methylene blue

Abstract A photo-assisted deposition (PAD) technique was adopted to construct highly dispersed gold nanoparticles on TiO 2 -WO 3 nanotubular composite electrodes prepared by one-step electrochemical anodizing. The morphology, crystallinity, elemental composition and light absorption capability of samples were distinguished based on various characterizations. The degradation of methylene blue (MB) was used as a model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the obtained samples. Characterization of the as-prepared TiO 2 -WO 3 samples indicated that dopant concentration in anodizing solution significantly influenced the morphology and photocatalytic activity of fabricated films. It was found that the degradation ratio of Au/TiO 2 -WO 3 nanotubes was improved as compared with that of bare TiO 2 -WO 3 nanotubes. The experimental results showed that the photocatalytic activities of Au/TiO 2 -WO 3 were significantly affected by the amount of Au nanoparticles. This work provides an insight into designing and synthesizing new TiO 2 -WO 3 nanotubes-based hybrid materials for effective visible light-activated photocatalysis.