Solvent-induced improvement of Au photo-deposition and resulting photo-catalytic efficiency of Au/TiO2

Metal nanoparticle photo-deposition on TiO2 enhances the semiconductor catalytic activity. We show for the first time that strong adsorption of simple diol-molecules improves the photo-deposition, by introducing a TiO2 midgap state and blocking active sites. The resulting photo-deposited gold nanoparticles are mono-dispersed and well-distributed over the TiO2 particles. The photo-catalytic activity of the Au/TiO2 systems obtained in ethyleneglycol was significantly enhanced compared to those prepared in conventional solvents, such as water and ethanol.