SPR propelled visible-active photocatalysis on Au-dispersed Co3O4 films

Abstract Au nanoparticles (NPs) dispersed Co 3 O 4 composite films were fabricated via a chemical solution approach combined with a spin-coating processing. The photocatalysis on Au-dispersed Co 3 O 4 (Au/Co 3 O 4 ) films were investigated under a visible light ( λ  > 400 nm) irradiation. Compared with the pure Co 3 O 4 film, an additional and significant surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak appeared in the Au/Co 3 O 4 composite films. The SPR peaks aroused at around 630 nm in the composite films were strongly related to Au content and the charge transition between Au and [Co 2+ Co 2 3+ O 4 ]. Au/Co 3 O 4 composite films with 40 mol% Au content exhibited the superior photocatalytic activity for degradation of Congo red (CR) solution under the visible light irradiation, suggesting the highly effective SPR propelled effect for enhancing the visible-active photocatalysis on the Au/Co 3 O 4 composite films in this study.