TiO2 mesocrystals composited with gold nanorods for highly efficient visible-NIR-photocatalytic hydrogen production

TiO2 mesocrystals (TMC) have efficient charge transport properties and long-lived charges which cause high photoconductivity and photocatalytic activity. However, TMC have no absorption in the region of visible and near-Infrared (NIR) light. The optical resonance of Au nanorods (NRs) depending mainly on their length and width (aspect ratio) can be used to design panchromatic absorbers, covering most of the useful solar spectrum. Therefore, in this article, Au NRs and TMC composites were prepared by the ligand exchange method to show highly efficient H2 production (924 µmol h−1 g−1) under visible-NIR light irradiation. The efficient H2 production is explained by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Au NRs, electron injection to TMC, efficient charge transport in TMC due to the superstructure of TMC and water reduction on TMC. Single-particle confocal fluorescence microscopy and time-resolved diffuse reflectance measurements confirmed the efficient hot electron injection and charge separation from Au NRs with strong SPR to the superstructure of TMC.