Hybridization of Au nanoparticle-loaded TiO2 with BN nanosheets for efficient solar-driven photocatalysis

We describe the hybridization of Au-loaded TiO2, which has attracted much attention as a visible light-responsive photocatalyst, with h-BN to improve the photocatalytic performance. A hybrid of Au-loaded TiO2 and h-BN showed higher photocatalytic activity toward the decomposition of an aqueous organic compound, crystal violet, into CO2 under solar light irradiation than Au-loaded TiO2, TiO2 supported on h-BN, and TiO2. We propose that the high photocatalytic activity of the hybrid stems from (i) visible light response caused by Au nanoparticles, (ii) reactant-concentration ability possessed by the BN phase, and (iii) improved charge separation at the TiO2/BN interfaces. A wide variety of h-BN morphologies with different properties are available; the hybridization of Au-loaded TiO2 or other known photocatalysts with h-BN will be a versatile methodology to enhance their performances.