Au nanoparticles enhanced rutile TiO2 nanorod bundles with high visible-light photocatalytic performance for NO oxidation

A novel Au/TiO2 visible photocatalyst with Au nanoparticles (NPs) uniformly dispersed onto rutile TiO2 nanorod bundles was developed and used in photocatalytic NO oxidation for air cleaning. The Au NPs photosensitized TiO2 in visible-light area via plasma effect. They also reduced photoelectron-hole recombination by accelerating electron transfer and promoted NO molecule activation via strong adsorption. The TiO2 acted as a semiconductor photocatalyst and its nanorod bundle structure promoted light harvest by multiple reflections. Moreover, it also acted as a support to highly disperse and stabilize Au nanopatides. These cooperative promoting effects resulted in the high activity and strong durability of Au/TiO2 in photocatalytic NO oxidation. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.