A Facile Microwave-Promoted Formation of Highly Photoresponsive Au-Decorated TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanorods for the Enhanced Photo-Degradation of Methylene Blue
The integration of noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) effectively modifies the electronic properties of semiconductor photocatalysts, leading to improved charge separation and enhanced photocatalytic performance. TiO<sub>2</sub> nanorods decorated with Au NPs were successfully synthesized u...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/22/1780 |
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| author | Andreea Bondarev Sonia Mihai Abubakar Katsina Usman Diana Luciana Cursaru Dănuţa Matei Veronica Sătulu Cătălina Gheorghe Gheorghe Brănoiu Raluca Şomoghi |
| author_facet | Andreea Bondarev Sonia Mihai Abubakar Katsina Usman Diana Luciana Cursaru Dănuţa Matei Veronica Sătulu Cătălina Gheorghe Gheorghe Brănoiu Raluca Şomoghi |
| author_sort | Andreea Bondarev |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The integration of noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) effectively modifies the electronic properties of semiconductor photocatalysts, leading to improved charge separation and enhanced photocatalytic performance. TiO<sub>2</sub> nanorods decorated with Au NPs were successfully synthesized using a cost-effective, rapid microwave-assisted method in H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and HF media for methylene blue (MB) degradation under visible light illumination. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 physisorption, and UV–vis spectroscopy were employed to characterize the structures, morphologies, compositions, and photoelectronic properties of the as-synthesized materials. The fusing of Au NPs effectively alters the electronic structure of TiO<sub>2</sub>, enhancing the charge separation efficiency and improved electrical conductivity. The HF treatment promotes the exposure of the highly reactive (001) and (101) crystalline facets. The improved photocatalytic activity of Au/TiO<sub>2</sub>, achieving 97% efficiency, is attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of the Au NPs and the presence of oxygen vacancies. The photodegradation of MB using the TiO<sub>2</sub>/Au photocatalysts follows pseudo-first-order kinetics, highlighting the enhanced catalytic efficiency of the synthesized nanostructures. The exceptional properties of the binary Au/TiO<sub>2</sub> photocatalysts, including the SPR effect, exposed crystallographic faces, and efficient charge carrier separation through a decrease in the recombination of electrons and holes, contribute to the photocatalytic degradation of MB. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5ef2a25d8bc54fa9bf623ba7e0481883 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj-art-5ef2a25d8bc54fa9bf623ba7e04818832025-08-20T02:48:06ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912024-11-011422178010.3390/nano14221780A Facile Microwave-Promoted Formation of Highly Photoresponsive Au-Decorated TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanorods for the Enhanced Photo-Degradation of Methylene BlueAndreea Bondarev0Sonia Mihai1Abubakar Katsina Usman2Diana Luciana Cursaru3Dănuţa Matei4Veronica Sătulu5Cătălina Gheorghe6Gheorghe Brănoiu7Raluca Şomoghi8Faculty of Petroleum Refining and Petrochemistry, Petroleum—Gas University of Ploiesti, 100680 Ploiesti, RomaniaFaculty of Petroleum Refining and Petrochemistry, Petroleum—Gas University of Ploiesti, 100680 Ploiesti, RomaniaDepartment of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Bayero University, Kano PMB 3011, NigeriaFaculty of Petroleum Refining and Petrochemistry, Petroleum—Gas University of Ploiesti, 100680 Ploiesti, RomaniaFaculty of Petroleum Refining and Petrochemistry, Petroleum—Gas University of Ploiesti, 100680 Ploiesti, RomaniaNational Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomistilor Str., 077125 Magurele, RomaniaFaculty of Petroleum Refining and Petrochemistry, Petroleum—Gas University of Ploiesti, 100680 Ploiesti, RomaniaFaculty of Petroleum Refining and Petrochemistry, Petroleum—Gas University of Ploiesti, 100680 Ploiesti, RomaniaFaculty of Petroleum Refining and Petrochemistry, Petroleum—Gas University of Ploiesti, 100680 Ploiesti, RomaniaThe integration of noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) effectively modifies the electronic properties of semiconductor photocatalysts, leading to improved charge separation and enhanced photocatalytic performance. TiO<sub>2</sub> nanorods decorated with Au NPs were successfully synthesized using a cost-effective, rapid microwave-assisted method in H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and HF media for methylene blue (MB) degradation under visible light illumination. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 physisorption, and UV–vis spectroscopy were employed to characterize the structures, morphologies, compositions, and photoelectronic properties of the as-synthesized materials. The fusing of Au NPs effectively alters the electronic structure of TiO<sub>2</sub>, enhancing the charge separation efficiency and improved electrical conductivity. The HF treatment promotes the exposure of the highly reactive (001) and (101) crystalline facets. The improved photocatalytic activity of Au/TiO<sub>2</sub>, achieving 97% efficiency, is attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of the Au NPs and the presence of oxygen vacancies. The photodegradation of MB using the TiO<sub>2</sub>/Au photocatalysts follows pseudo-first-order kinetics, highlighting the enhanced catalytic efficiency of the synthesized nanostructures. The exceptional properties of the binary Au/TiO<sub>2</sub> photocatalysts, including the SPR effect, exposed crystallographic faces, and efficient charge carrier separation through a decrease in the recombination of electrons and holes, contribute to the photocatalytic degradation of MB.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/22/1780photodegradationmethylene bluenanorodsmicrowave synthesisAu nanoparticles |
| spellingShingle | Andreea Bondarev Sonia Mihai Abubakar Katsina Usman Diana Luciana Cursaru Dănuţa Matei Veronica Sătulu Cătălina Gheorghe Gheorghe Brănoiu Raluca Şomoghi A Facile Microwave-Promoted Formation of Highly Photoresponsive Au-Decorated TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanorods for the Enhanced Photo-Degradation of Methylene Blue Nanomaterials photodegradation methylene blue nanorods microwave synthesis Au nanoparticles |
| title | A Facile Microwave-Promoted Formation of Highly Photoresponsive Au-Decorated TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanorods for the Enhanced Photo-Degradation of Methylene Blue |
| title_full | A Facile Microwave-Promoted Formation of Highly Photoresponsive Au-Decorated TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanorods for the Enhanced Photo-Degradation of Methylene Blue |
| title_fullStr | A Facile Microwave-Promoted Formation of Highly Photoresponsive Au-Decorated TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanorods for the Enhanced Photo-Degradation of Methylene Blue |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Facile Microwave-Promoted Formation of Highly Photoresponsive Au-Decorated TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanorods for the Enhanced Photo-Degradation of Methylene Blue |
| title_short | A Facile Microwave-Promoted Formation of Highly Photoresponsive Au-Decorated TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanorods for the Enhanced Photo-Degradation of Methylene Blue |
| title_sort | facile microwave promoted formation of highly photoresponsive au decorated tio sub 2 sub nanorods for the enhanced photo degradation of methylene blue |
| topic | photodegradation methylene blue nanorods microwave synthesis Au nanoparticles |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/22/1780 |
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