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Type: 
Journal
Description: 
We propose a ground-breaking approach by an upside-down vision of the Au/TiO2 nano-system in order to obtain an enhanced photocatalytic response. The system was synthesized by wrapping Au nanoparticles (∼8 nm mean diameter) with a thin layer of TiO2 (∼4 nm thick). The novel idea of embedding Au nanoparticles with titanium dioxide takes advantage of the presence of metal nanoparticles, in terms of electron trapping, without losing any of the TiO2 exposed surface, so as to favor the photocatalytic performance of titanium dioxide. A complete structural characterization was made by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The remarkable photocatalytic performance together with the stability of the nano-system was demonstrated by degradation of the methylene blue dye in water. The non-toxicity of the nano-system was established by testing the effect of the …
Publisher: 
Royal Society of Chemistry
Publication date: 
1 Jan 2014
Authors: 

Viviana Scuderi, Giuliana Impellizzeri, Lucia Romano, Mario Scuderi, Maria V Brundo, Kristin Bergum, Massimo Zimbone, Ruy Sanz, Maria A Buccheri, Francesca Simone, Giuseppe Nicotra, Bengt G Svensson, Maria G Grimaldi, Vittorio Privitera

Biblio References: 
Volume: 6 Issue: 19 Pages: 11189-11195
Origin: 
Nanoscale