Photocatalytic Activity of Vis-Responsive Ag-Nanoparticles/TiO2 Composite Thin Films Fabricated by Molecular Precursor Method (MPM)

• DOI: 10.3390/catal3030625
• Publication Date: 2013-07-31T16:11:46Z
• Authors: Likius Daniel; Hiroki Nagai; Naoya Yoshida; Mitsunobu Sato
• Keywords: Methylene blue

The Ag-nanoparticles (Ag-NP)/TiO2 composite thin films with various amounts of Ag (10 mol% ≤ n 80 mol%) were examined as a potential photocatalyst by decoloration reaction methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous solution. These ca. 100 nm thickness fabricated the MPM at 600 °C air. rates monitored absorption intensity MB solution indicated that amount less than 40 are not effective under vis-irradiation, though they can work UV-irradiation. Further, UV-sensitivity gradually decreased to almost half level TiO2 film identical conditions when increased from 10 mol%. Contrarily, content larger 50 showed vis-responsive activity, whose was slightly lower UV-sensitivity. Diffuse reflectance spectra suggested activity is due conductivity, localized surface plasmon resonance and Ag-NP. It also elucidated corresponds their electrical conductivity depends on content.