Plasmon-enhanced UV photocatalysis

摘要

We report plasmonic nanoparticle enhanced photocatalysis on titanium dioxide (TiO_2) in the deep-UV range. Aluminum (Al) nanoparticles fabricated on TiO_2 film increases the reaction rate of photocatalysis by factors as high as 14 under UV irradiation in the range of 260-340 nm. The reaction efficiency has been determined by measuring the decolorization rate of methylene blue applied on the TiO_2 substrate. The enhancement of photocatalysis shows particle size and excitation wavelength dependence, which can be explained by the surface plasmon resonance of Al nanoparticles.