One-step modified method for a highly efficient Au–PANI@TiO2 visible-light photocatalyst

Abstract

This paper introduces the preparation of a visible light-active Au–PANI@TiO₂ nanocomposite via a one-step chemical redox between aniline and chloroauric acid to modify TiO₂. The Au–PANI@TiO₂ ternary photocatalyst shows superior activity towards the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light compared to PANI@TiO₂ and Au@TiO₂ photocatalysts. The prominent photocatalytic performance of the Au–PANI@TiO₂ ternary photocatalyst is ascribed to the synergism of the sensitized PANI and plasmonic Au nanoparticles. The photo-excited electrons of PANI and also the excited electrons of the Au nanoparticles induced by the localized surface plasmon resonance can transfer to TiO₂, causing the enhancement of the surface electron densities of TiO₂. This significantly improves the light absorption range of TiO₂ to the visible light region.