Electrodeposited TiO₂/Pt/Au Multilayer Nanorods Exhibiting Ultraviolet-Modulated Self-Electrophoretic Propulsion

Abstract

TiO₂/Pt/Au multilayer nanorods were fabricated by template-assisted electrodeposition and thermal conversion of an electrodeposited TiO₂ precursor. Layer thicknesses were tuned by charge and deposition time to yield reproducible multilayers. The nanorods autonomously propelled in 2 wt% H₂O₂ via self-electrophoresis, showing higher velocity under ultraviolet irradiation than in the dark. Reversible ON/OFF velocity modulation was observed. The enhanced propulsion is consistent with photocatalytic reactions at the TiO₂ segment that are suggested to increase the self-electrophoretic driving force, although direct phase identification of TiO₂ and full mechanistic assignment await further characterization.