Synthesis of gold-coated TiO2 nanorod array and its application as a Raman substrate

Gold (Au) nanoparticles were uniformly deposited on hydrophobic TiO2 nanorod arrays through a combination of hydrothermal and photochemical reactions, a process that is difficult to achieve by conventional methods. The Au/TiO2 nanorod array exhibited superior Raman enhancement and was also reusable due to its photocatalytic properties.

► A new synthesis route is devised for the deposition of gold nanoparticles on TiO2 nanorods.
► The Au/TiO2 nanorod array exhibits superior Raman enhancement.
► The array is also reusable due to its photocatalytic properties.