TiO2–ZnO/Au ternary heterojunction nanocomposite: Excellent antibacterial property and visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production efficiency

TiO2–ZnO/Au ternary heterojunction nanocomposite was fabricated by producing TiO2 nanosheets first using solvent-thermal method followed by Au deposition and ZnO deposition respectively. The TiO2 nanosheets provide a relatively large surface area for the good dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles and Au particles and sufficient contact with the medium, which contribute to the excellent photocatalytic performances of TiO2–ZnO/Au heterojunction composite. The phases and structures, morphologies, surface and optical properties of the ternary heterojunction composite are well-characterized. Subsequently, the photocatalytic hydrogen generation of TiO2–ZnO/Au is evaluated under visible light irradiation. TiO2–ZnO/Au ternary heterojunction composite has efficient light absorption ability and excellent performances in photocatalytic hydrogen generation (1068 μmol/g under the irradiation of visible light for 4 h) and antibacterial properties (reaching 98.2%). TiO2–ZnO/Au ternary heterojunction nanocomposite has a large potential to be used in areas such as interior wall coating.