Solvothermal preparation of Ag nanoparticles sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays with enhanced photoelectrochemical performance

Ag nanoparticles modified TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2 NTs/Ag) were fabricated by a simple solvothermal method using ethanol as solvent and AgNO3 as precursor. The composition and structural investigation by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and UV–vis diffusion reflection spectroscopy indicated that Ag nanoparticles were deposited into the TiO2 NTs. The TiO2 NTs/Ag exhibited more excellent photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activities than those of the TiO2 NTs under UV and visible light irradiation. The enhanced photoelectrochemical activity of the TiO2 NTs/Ag could be attributed to the improvement of surface plasmon resonance absorption and charge separation derived from Ag nanoparticles.