TiO2 inverse opal structures with facile decoration of precious metal nanoparticles for enhanced photocatalytic activity

TiO 2 inverse opal (IO) structures were fabricated by an infiltration method that were functionalized with gold, silver, and gold-silver core-shell metal nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO 2 IO structures with metal nanoparticles was characterized by gas-phase conversion of acetylene into carbon dioxide. All metal nanoparticle functionalized structures showed an increase in photocatalytic activity via surface plasmon resonance coupling of the incident light. The highest photocatalytic activity was observed with gold-silver core-shell nanoparticle functionalized TiO 2 IO structure (increase of 62% compared to reference TiO 2 IO) followed by gold (53%) and silver (39%) nanoparticles. • TiO 2 inverse opal (IO) structures were prepared by an infiltration method. • Gold, silver, and gold/silver nanoparticles (NPs) were coated onto TiO 2 IOs. • Enhanced photocatalytic activity was observed with metal nanoparticles. • Au/Ag core-shell NPs increased photocatalytic activity by 62%. • Au and Ag NPs increased photocatalytic activity by 53% and 39%, respectively.