Controlled anisotropic growth of Ag nanoparticles on oil-decorated TiO_2 films with photocatalytic reduction method

摘要

Ag-TiO_2 hybrids are useful in various applications, such as photocatalysis, solar energy conversion, and biosensoring. In this study, oil-decorated TiO_2 films were used to induce the formation of Ag nanoplates in AgNO_3 solution via a photocatalytic method. Ag nanoplates in the products can be controlled by changing the oil-decoration time of films or changing the AgNO_3 concentration of the solution. Oil decoration was found to be necessary in the formation of Ag nanoplates, and a critical concentration of AgNO_3 solution was needed. The oil layer on the TiO_2 films was demonstrated to play a role in the prevention of the reoxidation of the Ag atoms, and a growth model was proposed to interpret the formation of Ag nanoplates on the oil-decorated TiO_2 films.