Broadband plasmon photocurrent generation from Au nanoparticles/ mesoporous TiO2 nanotube electrodes

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThere has been an increasing interest in plasmon-induced enhancement of solar cells and more recently in the direct generation of photocurrent using noble metal nanoparticles with their Localised Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) in the visual part of the spectrum. In this paper we report broadband plasmon photocurrent generation using novel Au nanoparticle incorporated mesoporous TiO 2 nanotube electrodes. Plasmonic induced photocurrent due to hot electrons is observed over a broad wavelength range ( $ 500 to 1000 nm). Incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency (IPCE) measurements undertaken showed a maximum photocurrent enhancement of 200 fold around 700-730 nm wavelength.

Rough gold films as broadband absorbers for plasmonic enhancement of TiO2 photocurrent over 400–800 nm

“…The fabrication techniques of the TiO 2 -Au bilayer are relatively simple and cost-effective. Additionally, in contrast to the previously reported AuNP-TiO 2 systems (i.e., Au NPs on top of the TiO 2 film) 15 16 17 , the TiO 2 -Au bilayer buries the Au film under the TiO 2 film and thus protects the Au film from the photocorrosion and leakage during the photochemical reactions, making it promising for long-term operation.…”

“…Figure 6 depicts the two mechanisms of the photocurrent generation in the TiO 2 -Au bilayer: hot electron injection (HEI) and plasmonic resonance energy transfer (PRET). Both mechanisms are widely used for the plasmonic enhancement of photocurrent in literature 2 5 6 17 18 27 . The HEI is illustrated in Fig.…”

Smart Fluid Systems: The Advent of Autonomous Liquid Robotics

“…d) influence of Au loading level on the IPCE values of photoelectrodes with Au NPs incorporated in titania nanotubes, showing the potentiality of nanostructured systems in generating exciton couples under light stimulation. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2015, Elsevier.…”

Visible‐light‐responsive antibacterial activity of Au‐incorporated TiO2 layers formed on Ti–(0–10)at%Au alloys by air oxidation

“…The authors reported that anatase‐containing TiO 2 layers formed on Ti‐Au alloys by two‐step thermal oxidation were activated under visible‐light irradiation, because of the introduction of C and Au to the TiO 2 layers, and degraded stearic acid coatings under visible‐light irradiation . Au contributes to visible‐light activation of TiO 2 photocatalysis, both when dissolved as ions and when dispersed as metallic nanoparticles in TiO 2 . Therefore, visible‐light‐responsive antibacterial activity of Ti alloys can be produced by the formation of Au‐incorporated TiO 2 layers through air oxidation, which is simpler than two‐step thermal oxidation or a three‐step process …”