Bio-synthesis of finely distributed Ag nanoparticle-decorated TiO2 nanorods for sunlight-induced photoelectrochemical water splitting

Ag nanoparticles (NPs) grafted on TiO2 nanorods (NRs) using electroactive biofilms (EABs) were assessed as photoanodes for water splitting under solar light irradiance. EABs-assisted bio-reduction leads to the uniform decoration of spherical Ag NPs (10-40 nm) and stronger attachment to the Ag-TiO2 interface due to the prior adsorption of Ag+ ions. Plasmonic interaction of Ag NPs with TiO2 NRs showed stronger adsorption in visible range due to surface plasmon resonance. Compared to TiO2 NRs, Ag-TiO2 NRs/FFO exhibited 8 times higher current density under solar light irradiation due to enhanced visible light absorption, SPR effect, and efficient electron-hole separation. (C) 2018 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.