Ultrasonic Activation of Au Nanoclusters/TiO<sub>2</sub>: Tuning Hydroxyl Radical Production Through Frequency and Nanocluster Size
This study explores the sonocatalytic activity of gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) combined with titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) nanoparticles, forming Au NCs/TiO<sub>2</sub> composites. The hybrid material significantly enhances hydroxyl radical (•OH) generation under ultrasoni...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/3/541 |
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| author | Takaaki Tsurunishi Yuzuki Furui Hideya Kawasaki |
| author_facet | Takaaki Tsurunishi Yuzuki Furui Hideya Kawasaki |
| author_sort | Takaaki Tsurunishi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores the sonocatalytic activity of gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) combined with titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) nanoparticles, forming Au NCs/TiO<sub>2</sub> composites. The hybrid material significantly enhances hydroxyl radical (•OH) generation under ultrasonic conditions, attributed to high-energy cavitation bubbles formed during ultrasonication. The effects of frequency (200, 430, and 950 kHz) and power were systematically evaluated on Au<sub>144</sub>/TiO<sub>2</sub> composites, identifying 430 kHz as optimal for •OH production due to its efficient cavitation energy. Au<sub>144</sub> NCs function as electron traps, reducing electron–hole recombination in ultrasonically activated TiO<sub>2</sub>, thereby improving charge separation and enhancing •OH generation. Size-dependent effects were also studied, showing an efficiency trend of Au<sub>144</sub> > Au<sub>25</sub> > plasmonic Au nanoparticles > bare TiO<sub>2</sub>. These findings highlight the importance of ultrasonication frequency and Au NC size in optimizing sonocatalytic performance in the Au NCs/TiO<sub>2</sub> composites, providing valuable insights for designing advanced sonocatalysts with applications in chemical synthesis, environmental remediation, and biomedical fields. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b9739467b2cc4af7ac67d4bc5ea0b825 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-b9739467b2cc4af7ac67d4bc5ea0b8252025-08-20T02:12:28ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-01-0130354110.3390/molecules30030541Ultrasonic Activation of Au Nanoclusters/TiO<sub>2</sub>: Tuning Hydroxyl Radical Production Through Frequency and Nanocluster SizeTakaaki Tsurunishi0Yuzuki Furui1Hideya Kawasaki2Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35, Yamate-cho, Suita 564-8680, Osaka, JapanDepartment of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35, Yamate-cho, Suita 564-8680, Osaka, JapanDepartment of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35, Yamate-cho, Suita 564-8680, Osaka, JapanThis study explores the sonocatalytic activity of gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) combined with titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) nanoparticles, forming Au NCs/TiO<sub>2</sub> composites. The hybrid material significantly enhances hydroxyl radical (•OH) generation under ultrasonic conditions, attributed to high-energy cavitation bubbles formed during ultrasonication. The effects of frequency (200, 430, and 950 kHz) and power were systematically evaluated on Au<sub>144</sub>/TiO<sub>2</sub> composites, identifying 430 kHz as optimal for •OH production due to its efficient cavitation energy. Au<sub>144</sub> NCs function as electron traps, reducing electron–hole recombination in ultrasonically activated TiO<sub>2</sub>, thereby improving charge separation and enhancing •OH generation. Size-dependent effects were also studied, showing an efficiency trend of Au<sub>144</sub> > Au<sub>25</sub> > plasmonic Au nanoparticles > bare TiO<sub>2</sub>. These findings highlight the importance of ultrasonication frequency and Au NC size in optimizing sonocatalytic performance in the Au NCs/TiO<sub>2</sub> composites, providing valuable insights for designing advanced sonocatalysts with applications in chemical synthesis, environmental remediation, and biomedical fields.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/3/541sonocatalystTiO<sub>2</sub>Au nanoclustersreactive oxygen speciesultrasonic cavitation |
| spellingShingle | Takaaki Tsurunishi Yuzuki Furui Hideya Kawasaki Ultrasonic Activation of Au Nanoclusters/TiO<sub>2</sub>: Tuning Hydroxyl Radical Production Through Frequency and Nanocluster Size Molecules sonocatalyst TiO<sub>2</sub> Au nanoclusters reactive oxygen species ultrasonic cavitation |
| title | Ultrasonic Activation of Au Nanoclusters/TiO<sub>2</sub>: Tuning Hydroxyl Radical Production Through Frequency and Nanocluster Size |
| title_full | Ultrasonic Activation of Au Nanoclusters/TiO<sub>2</sub>: Tuning Hydroxyl Radical Production Through Frequency and Nanocluster Size |
| title_fullStr | Ultrasonic Activation of Au Nanoclusters/TiO<sub>2</sub>: Tuning Hydroxyl Radical Production Through Frequency and Nanocluster Size |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ultrasonic Activation of Au Nanoclusters/TiO<sub>2</sub>: Tuning Hydroxyl Radical Production Through Frequency and Nanocluster Size |
| title_short | Ultrasonic Activation of Au Nanoclusters/TiO<sub>2</sub>: Tuning Hydroxyl Radical Production Through Frequency and Nanocluster Size |
| title_sort | ultrasonic activation of au nanoclusters tio sub 2 sub tuning hydroxyl radical production through frequency and nanocluster size |
| topic | sonocatalyst TiO<sub>2</sub> Au nanoclusters reactive oxygen species ultrasonic cavitation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/3/541 |
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