Photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties of mesoporous TiO2 films modified with silver and gold nanoparticles

Wet-Chemical Preparation of TiO₂-Based Composites with Different Morphologies and Photocatalytic Properties

TiO₂-based composites have been paid significant attention in the photocatalysis field. The size, crystallinity and nanomorphology of TiO₂ materials have an important effect on the photocatalytic efficiency. The synthesis and photocatalytic activity of TiO₂-based materials have been widely investigated in past decades. Based on our group’s research works on TiO₂ materials, this review introduces several methods for the fabrication of TiO₂, rare-earth-doped TiO₂ and noble-metal-decorated TiO₂ particles with different morphologies. We focused on the preparation and the formation mechanism of TiO₂-based materials with unique structures including spheres, hollow spheres, porous spheres, hollow porous spheres and urchin-like spheres. The photocatalytical activity of urchin-like TiO₂, noble metal nanoparticle-decorated 3D (three-dimensional) urchin-like TiO₂ and bimetallic core/shell nanoparticle-decorated urchin-like hierarchical TiO₂ are briefly discussed.

Electrooxidation of Se on nanodispersed films of titanium dioxide modified with ZnO and Au

Selenium electrooxidation process on TiO2 and TiO2/ZnO electrodes, modified by gold nanoparticles, was investigated in solutions of sulfuric, chloric and citric acids. It is shown that TiO2/ZnO/Au electrodes can be used as indicator electrodes at the determination of selenium by anodic stripping voltammetry method. Optimum conditions of selenium (IV) determination are: supporting solution 0,001М H2SO4, electroconcentrating potential -(1,3¸1,5) V; time of electrolysis 120 s, scanning speed of potential 20 mV/s.