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Photoeletrochemical Properties of TiO 2 Films Modified with Gold Nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Xu Hong,
Liu Ling,
Jia NengQin,
Yang Jie,
Yan ManMing,
Jiang ZhiYu
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
chinese journal of chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1614-7065
pISSN - 1001-604X
DOI - 10.1002/cjoc.200590005
Subject(s) - photocurrent , electrode , chemistry , nanoparticle , electrochemistry , surface modification , semiconductor , chemical engineering , photoelectrochemistry , nanotechnology , composite number , electron transfer , colloidal gold , dielectric spectroscopy , optoelectronics , materials science , photochemistry , composite material , engineering
A nano‐Au modified TiO 2 electrode was prepared via the oxidation of Ti sheet in flame and subsequent modification with gold nanoparticles. The results of SEM and TEM measurements show that the Au nanoparticles are well dispersed on TiO 2 surface. A near 2‐fold enhancement in photocurrent was achieved upon the modification with Au nanoparticles. From the results of photocurrent and electrochemical impedance experiments it was found that the flatband potential of nano‐Au/TiO 2 electrode negatively shifted about 100 mV in 0.5 mol/L Na 2 SO 4 solutions compared with that of bare TiO 2 electrode. The improvement of photoelectrochemical performance was explained by the inhibition for charge recombination of photo‐induced electrons and holes, and the promotion for interfacial charge‐transfer kinetics at nano‐Au/TiO 2 composite film. Such nanometal‐semiconductor composite films have the potential application in improving the performance of photoelectrochemical solar cells.