From Nanospheres to Nanostars: Tailoring Au-TiO2 Hybrids for Advanced Applications
摘要
This study investigatedGold-titania TiO2 nanospheresNanospheres decorated with two types of Au nanostructures, nanospheresNanospheres and nanostarsNanostars, each with diameters of 20 and 50 nm to explore the impact of size and morphology along the UV–Vis spectrum. The results show that hybrid nanomaterials with identical dimensions, but different morphologies exhibit distinct functionalities, with variations in size significantly affecting their properties and performance. The physicochemical properties of gold (Au) nanostructures strongly depend on their size and morphology. NanostarsNanostars offered advantages over nanospheresNanospheres, including serving as hot spots for enhanced surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERSSERS) sensitivity. Additionally, stars have different crystallographic facets, making them useful for catalytic applications. The tunability of stars and spheres allows for the adjustment of photothermal properties due to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), making them suitable for specific applications such as photothermal therapy and advanced energy-related technologies. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is renowned for its chemical stability, non-toxicity, and photocatalytic activity under UV light. These hybrid systems enhance performance in applications such as catalysis, sensing, and environmental pollutant capture. No ligand was used to deposit Au onto TiO2, simplifying the production process and increasing stability. Synthesis was achieved via solution chemistry, demonstrating its potential for large-scale production. This study highlights the critical aspect of creating tunableTunable nanostructures hybrid nanomaterials, emphasizing their impact on various applications and the importance of manipulating their properties for technological advancements.