Plasmon-Enhanced Photocurrent using Gold Nanoparticles on a Three-Dimensional TiO2 Nanowire-Web Electrode

Abstract

In this study, an anatase/rutile mixed-phase titanium dioxide (TiO2) hierarchical network deposited with Au nanoparticles (Au/TiO2 ARHN) was synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method followed by a simple calcination step. Such a unique structure was designed for improving the light harvest, charge transportation/separation, and the performance of photo-electro-chemical (PEC) cells. The properties of the as-synthesized Au/TiO2 ARHN in PEC cells were investigated by electrochemical measurements using a three-electrode system in a 1 M NaOH electrolyte. Remarkably, a 4.5-folds enhancement of the photocurrent for Au/TiO2 ARHN was observed as compared to that for TiO2 nanowire (NW), under AM1.5G solar illumination, suggesting its potential application in PEC cells. A mechanism has been proposed to explain the high photocurrent of Au/TiO2 ARHN in PEC water splitting.