Flower-like Au/Ag/TiO2 nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic efficiency under visible light irradiation

Uniform flower-like TiO2 coated Au nanostars and core-shell Au@Ag nanostars with different amounts of Ag coating were prepared through a facile method by hydrolysis of TiF4 under an acidic environment. The photocatalytic capability of these flower-like nanocomposites under visible light irradiation was found to be enhanced by up to 4.7-fold compared to commercial P25 TiO2 nanoparticles. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was ascribed to improved light absorption and hot electron injection from the photo-excited Au@Ag core to the TiO2 shell.