Enhanced photocatalytic CO2 reduction activity of silvered titania prepared by wet deposition method

Abstract

Titania (TiO2) was successfully modified with Ag nanoparticles by wet deposition method. The established structures adopt the anatase crystal structure and contain a mixture of Ag and Ag1+ species. The Ag loading triggers extended absorption in the visible light region. Furthermore, the Ag loading improves the photocatalytic CO2 reduction efficiency compared to the pure TiO2. The optimal Ag loading is 2% molar ratio of Ag versus TiO2 and the photocatalytic activity will decrease with higher Ag loading. This improved efficiency may be attributed to the synergistic effect between electron trapping and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) phenomenon of Ag nanoparticle on TiO2 surface.