Metal-semiconductor hybrid nanocrystals are attractive photocatalyst materials due to the potential for fast interfacial electron transfer after the light absorption event that leads to charge separation and redox catalysis. Here we report thermolytic reduction of silver precursors in the presence of anatase TiO2 nanorods to form Ag-TiO2 hybrid nanocrystals. Transmission electron micrographs show the presence of the Ag domains on the surface of the TiO2 nanorods and powder X-ray diffraction data indicates the presence of the metallic Ag and anatase TiO2 phases. UV-visible spectroscopy indicates strong absorbance in the UV region due to ligand to metal charge transfer in TiO2 as well as strong absorption in the visible region due to resonance with the Ag surface plasmon. The material shows high activity for hydrogen evolution from solutions of methanol:water under irradiation with a Xenon lamp. Studies are underway to fully assess the catalytic properties of the material.

Ag-TiO2 hybrid nanoparticles as active photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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