Gold nanoparticle incorporation into nanoporous anatase TiO2 mesocrystal using a simple deposition–precipitation method for photocatalytic applications

Spindle-shaped nanoporous anatase TiO2 mesocrystals with exposed active {101} facets have been successfully prepared through a hydrothermal method with tetrabutyl titanate as the precursor. By a deposition–precipitation process, highly dispersed Au nanoparticles loaded on spindle-shaped mesoTiO2 exposed {101} facets, denoted as Aux/mesoTiO2, were firstly fabricated to establish close Schottky junctions to improve the visible light activity and the stability of Au on the catalyst surface. The photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) over Aux/mesoTiO2 was systematically investigated. The exposed active {101} facets together with the loaded Au nanoparticles dramatically enhanced the visible light photocatalytic activity of TiO2. The synergistic effect of the high intrinsic single-crystal-like nature of the anatase phase, the stability of gold and the strong interaction between Au and mesoTiO2 result in extraordinary photocatalytic stability of the catalyst. The detailed e− and h+ separation dynamics for the visible-light and UV-vis induced catalytic mechanisms were discussed.