Well-Aligned Au/TiO2 Nanorods by Magnetron Sputtering with Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties.

ABSTRACT

In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of preparing Au/TiO2 nanorods via a dc magnetron sputtering at room temperature and heat-treatment at 500 °C in air for 2 h. The heat treatment leads to the migration of Au atoms into TiO2 nanofilm to form Au/TiO2 nanorods with Au nanoparticles embedded in the TiO2 nanorods of anatase phase. The Au nanoparticles in the TiO2 nanorods suppress the charge recombination. These Au/TiO2 nanorods showed high absorption and intensive response to the visible light and had improved photocatalytic properties in comparison with pure TiO2 nanoparticles formed by using similar method.