Gold Nanoparticles Located at the Interface of Anatase/Rutile TiO2 Particles as Active Plasmonic Photocatalysts for Aerobic Oxidation

Visible-light irradiation (lambda > 450 nm) of gold nanoparticles loaded on a mixture of anatase/rutile TiO2 particles (Degussa, P25) promotes efficient aerobic oxidation at room temperature. The photocatalytic activity critically depends on the catalyst architecture: Au particles with <5 nm diameter located at the interface of anatase/rutile TiO2 particles behave as the active sites for reaction. This photocatalysis is promoted via plasmon activation of the Au particles by visible light followed by consecutive electron transfer in the Au/rutile/anatase contact site. The activated Au particles transfer their conduction electrons to rutile and then to adjacent anatase TiO2. This catalyzes the oxidation of substrates by the positively charged Au particles along with reduction of O-2 by the conduction band electrons on the surface of anatase TiO2. This plasmonic photocatalysis is successfully promoted by sunlight exposure and enables efficient and selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols at ambient temperature.