A Photocatalytic Reduction Method for the Preparation of TiO2 Nanobelt Supported Noble Metals (Ag, Au)

TiO2 nanobelts, with typical widths of 50 to 200 nm, thicknesses of 20-50 nm, supported noble metals (Ag, Au) are prepared by the photocatalytic reduction method. The as-made samples were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that silver particles, with the grain size of about 10 nm, deposited on the surface of nanobelts are uniform. And the grain size of Au on the surface of nanobelts is about 30 nm. In this method, the as-made TiO2 nanobelt is not only used as support, but also as photocatalyst to reduce the noble metal ions.