Design of TiO2/Au nanoparticle films with controlled crack formation and different architectures using a centrifugal strategy

Abstract

Here we present an approach to design hybrid nanocomposite films based on TiO₂/Au nanoparticles using centrifugation processes. The prepared nanocomposite films have been characterized by different techniques such as FEGSEM, TEM, BET and XRD. Furthermore it is demonstrated that centrifugal force can enable preparation of hybrid nanocomposite films with controllable porosity, crack density, adherence, composition and thickness. A balance between adherence and crack-free films was found for TiO₂ nanoparticles packing with 100 nm size. Additionally, by using TiO₂ nanoparticles of different size distribution, different film architectures were prepared. The effect of the Au NP loading amount and annealing temperature is discussed.