Pt nanoparticles on TiO2 with novel metal–semiconductor interface as highly efficient photocatalyst

Pt nanoparticles were supported on the TiO2 surface using a glow discharge modified impregnation method. The metal–semiconductor interface structure was observed by high-resolution TEM. The fringes of Pt[111] were nearly perpendicular to those of TiO2[101] at the interface. Such alignment relationship resulted in a largely distorted interface allowing a close contact and enhanced interaction between the metal and the semiconductor. When used as photocatalyst, this Pt–TiO2 interface could improve the photo-induced electron transfer from the semiconductor to the metal and promote the near-UV absorption. The photocatalyst with such interface exhibited higher activity for hydrogen generation from alcohol/water mixture than that with a less distorted interface.