Au NPs decorated TiO2 nanotubes array candidate for UV photodetectors

This work reports the Au nanoparticles (NPs) deposited on TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) which were successfully synthesized by a simple two-step anodization method. This fabrication process is notable for a simple and inexpensive method for obtaining pure TiO2 NTs and Au NPs deposited TiO2 NTs. The prepared samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and I-V curve. We found that the size of Au NPs can be controlled by changing the bias voltage during the deposition. The photodetectors of Au NPs/TiO2 devices showed good wavelength selectivity with high photocurrent as compared to pure TiO2 NTs devices. Subsequently, Au NPs deposited on TiO2 NTs at bias voltage of 70 V was potentially used in fabrication of UV photodetector. At this applied voltage, a high density of Au NPs was uniformly deposited on TiO2 NTs. As a result, it enables a high photocurrent and great responsivity in UV region. It is suggested that the Au NPs deposited TiO2 NTs device shows good promise for UV photodetectors with possibility to fine-tune properties in both UV and visible regions and is worthy of further investigation.