Simple and Enhanced Thermal Immobilization of Gold Nanoparticles on TiO₂ coated ITO Electrodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation

Herein, we demonstrate a novel and facile thermal method for effective immobilization of pre-synthesized AuNPs onto the surface of TiO₂ coated on indium tin oxide (ITO). The density and size of AuNPs were controlled by process temperature and molar strength of Au precursor solution respectively. The microscopic image revealed fine and well-dispersed AuNPs on TiO₂ surface. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation was studied under ultraviolet-visible and visible light, and efficiencies of the pure and Au-modified-TiO₂/ITO electrodes were compared. A plausible schematic for interfacial electron transfer reaction is proposed for different solar spectrum.