Plasmon mediated visible light photocurrent and photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation using Au nanoparticles/TiO2 electrode

• The Au nanoparticle-loaded TiO2 films were prepared by magnetron sputtering.
• The Au nanoparticles have different size and morphology.
• The composite structures show enhanced visible light photocatalytic activities.
• The structures show an enhanced photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation.

Gold-nanoparticles/titanium dioxide (TiO2) composite structures that support localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) in the visible region are prepared by thermal annealing thin gold films deposited on a TiO2 layer. Associated with the excitation of LSPRs, the prepared gold nanoparticle-loaded TiO2 could work as visible responsive photocatalysts to produce a greatly enhanced photocurrent density. By varying the initial gold film thickness, such gold nanoparticle-loaded TiO2 composite structures could be optimized to obtain the highest photocurrent generation efficiency. Furthermore, with the optimal plasmonic photocatalysts, we also show a considerably enhanced photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation from the platinum counter electrode.

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