Photoinduced transformations in semiconductor-metal nanocomposite assemblies

Semiconductor-metal nanocomposites provide a simple and convenient way to tailor the properties of photocatalysts. Modification of semiconductor surface improves charge separation and promotes interfacial charge-transfer processes in nanocomposite systems. Charge accumulation in the metal layer results in Fermi-level equilibration raising the quasi-Fermi level of the composite close to the conduction band level of the oxide semiconductor. Phototransformations of such composites-including morphological changes, interfacial charge-transfer processes and photocurrent generation of TiO2-capped gold colloids-are presented in this review article.