Improvement of the Photocatalytic Activity of Au/TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanocomposites by Prior Treatment of TiO<sub>2</sub> with Microplasma in an NH<sub>3</sub> and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> Solution
Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy,
Do Hoang Tung,
Le Hong Manh,
Pham Hong Minh,
Nguyen The Hien
Affiliations
Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy
Faculty of Engineering Physics and Nanotechnology, VNU University of Engineering and Technology, 144 Xuan Thuy Road, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Do Hoang Tung
Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Le Hong Manh
Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Pham Hong Minh
Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Nguyen The Hien
Faculty of Engineering Physics and Nanotechnology, VNU University of Engineering and Technology, 144 Xuan Thuy Road, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Plasmonic photocatalytic nanocomposites of TiO2 and Au nanoparticles (NPs) have recently attracted the attention of researchers, who aim to improve the photocatalytic activity of potential TiO2 NPs. In this study, we report photocatalytic activity enhancement for a Au/TiO2 nanocomposite prepared by the plasma–liquid interaction method using an atmospheric microplasma apparatus. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the prepared Au/TiO2 is demonstrated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in water under both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiation. The prior treatment of TiO2 with microplasma in a NH3 and H2O2 solution is found to strongly improve the photocatalytic activity of both the treated TiO2 NPs, as well as the synthesized Au/TiO2 nanocomposite.
