Noble metal nanoparticles (NMNPs) enhanced TiO2 response and extended its activity under visible light. Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 modified with noble metal nanoparticles strongly depends on the physicochemical properties of NMNPs. Among others, the differences in the size of NMNPs seems to be one of the most important factors. In this view, the effect of the metal's nanoparticles size, type and amount on TiO2 photocatalytic and biocidal activity was investigated. TiO2 modified with mono- and bimetallic nanoparticles of Pt, Cu and Ag were prepared using chemical and thermal reduction methods. Obtained nanocomposites were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy (DR/UV-Vis) techniques. The photocatalytic activity was examined in 2-propanol oxidation and hydrogen generation processes. The mechanism of modified TiO2 excitation was evaluated in action spectrum measurements during phenol oxidation. A possibility of using less energy-consuming light sources as a set of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) selected based on action spectrum results was examined. It was found that the differences in NMNPs size were the result of the reduction method. Moreover, coupling with a second metal strongly affected and differentiated the photocatalytic and biocidal activity of the obtained TiO2-based photocatalysts.
Keywords: hydrogen generation; nanoparticles; noble metals; photocatalysis; photooxidation; titanium (IV) oxide.