A facile way to synthesize biomorphic N-TiO2 incorporated with Au nanoparticles with narrow size distribution and high stability

A facile method to synthesize biomorphic N-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2) templated with cotton and further assemble Au nanoparticles within the nanopores is reported. Biomorphic N-TiO2 is synthesized through a one-step infiltration and calcination process with the aid of acetylacetone (acac) as a controlling agent to the hydrolysis and condensation of N-doped TiO2 precursor to make it depositing on the template. The doping N atoms are in the interstitial sites of TiO2 lattice and responsible for visible light sensitivity. The sizes of the nanopores of biomorphic N-TiO2 are mono-distributed, which results in Au nanoparticles with controlled narrow size distribution and high stability. The biomorphic Au/N-TiO2 shows an overall increasing in light absorption and prominent surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak within visible range.