Visible-Light-Activated Plasmonic Photocatalysts of TiO₂-Based Nanostructures by Pulsed Laser Ablation

Abstract

Visible-light-activated TiO₂ photocatalysts based on the localized surface plasmon resonance phenomenon were synthesized. Pulsed laser ablation and rapid heat treatment were used to deposit Ag nanoparticles supported on lower anatase TiO₂ films as the main photocatalysts and upper TiO₂ films as the passivation films to prevent chemical reaction of the Ag nanoparticles. Optical properties and photocatalytic activities were evaluated. It was found that the visible light (410 nm) photocatalytic activities were increased with decreasing thickness of the upper TiO₂ films.