Gold cluster-nanoparticle diad systems for plasmonic enhancement of photosensitization

Abstract

Quantum-sized gold clusters are deposited on TiO2 both as a photosensitizer and catalyst, and coupled to plasmonic gold nanoparticles as a light harvesting antenna. Photocurrent enhancement was observed for Au 25(SG)18 and Au38(SG)24 but not for Au102(SG)44 (SG = glutathione). The maximum enhancement factor of ∼9 is reached at 900 nm. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.