Thermal stability of Au-TiO2 nanocomposite films prepared by direct liquid injection CVD

Nanocomposite films composed of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) embedded in a TiO2 matrix have been prepared by direct liquid injection chemical vapor deposition process, using preformed nanoparticles and titanium isopropoxide as precursors. The spherical AuNPs about 4.1 nm in diameter were synthesized by using gold (III) chloride trihydrate and stabilized by thiol ligands. The depositions were carried out by performing at first oxide deposition, then gold nanoparticle one and capping with oxide. The morphology, structure; the chemical state and optical properties of nanocomposite films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman, X-ray photoelectron and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopies, respectively. The stability of the films upon thermal annealing up to 800 °C was studied.