Photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties of mesoporous TiO2 films modified with silver and gold nanoparticles

TiO 2 and Zn 2+ /TiO 2 functional coatings doped with Ag or Au nanoparticles were prepared by photo- or thermoreduction of metal ions introduced into bulk or adsorbed on the film surface. TiO 2 and Zn 2+ /TiO 2 films with the Ag or Au nanoparticles (MNPs) distributed in the matrix and on the surface were characterized by XRD, TEM and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Direct photoelectrochemical investigations of the M/TiO 2 and M/Zn 2+ /TiO 2 heterojunctions showed the cathodic shift of the flatband potential position and the increase of photocurrent quantum yield in comparison with unmodified TiO 2 electrodes. Photocatalytic activity of synthesized films estimated in the process of degradation of the antibiotic tetracycline hydrochloride coincides With photoelectrochemical data.