Photocatalytic activities and photoinduced fusion of gold-modified titania nanoparticle

Gold nanoparticles measuring 3-30 nm deposited on semiconductors result in an effective photocatalyst against several pollutants. Its photocatalytic activities are significant under both UV and solar irradiation. In a photocatalytic system, the oxidation of pollutants takes place on the gold surface as the electron donor, while the electron is consumed by the reduction of oxygen as the electron acceptor on the semiconductor's surface. This promotes not only increased photocatalytic activities but also the green transformation of pollutant compounds to harmless compounds. The photosensitivity of semiconductors can be modified by tuning the size, shape, and contact of gold nanoparticles. This review highlights the function of gold nanoparticles in overcoming the limitation of transition metal oxide materials in photocatalytic applications.