|
Title
|
|
|
|
Rational design of nanosystems by a combined RF-sputtering/sol-gel approach
| |
|
Author
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
| The present work is devoted to the preparation of Ag/TiO2 nanosystems by an original synthetic strategy, based on the radio-frequency (RF) sputtering of silver particles on titania-based xerogels prepared by the sol-gel (SG) route. This approach takes advantage of the synergy between the microporous xerogel structure and the infiltration power characterizing RF-sputtering, whose combination enables the obtainment of a tailored dispersion of Ag-containing particles into the titania matrix. In addition, the systems chemico-physical features can be tuned further through proper ex situ thermal treatments in air at 400 and 600 °C. The synthesized composites are extensively characterized by the joint use of complementary techniques, that is, X-ray photoelectron and X-ray excited Auger electron spectroscopies (XPS, XE-AES), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), high-angle annular dark field scanning TEM (HAADF-STEM), energy-filtered TEM (EF-TEM) and optical absorption spectroscopy. Finally, the photocatalytic performances of selected samples in the decomposition of the azo-dye Plasmocorinth B are preliminarily investigated. The obtained results highlight the possibility of tailoring the system characteristics over a broad range, directly influencing their eventual functional properties. |
| |
|
Language
|
|
|
|
English
| |
|
Source (journal)
|
|
|
|
ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry. - Weinheim, 2000 - 2015
| |
|
Publication
|
|
|
|
Weinheim
:
Wiley-VCH
,
2009
| |
|
ISSN
|
|
|
|
1439-4235
[print]
1439-7641
[online]
| |
|
DOI
|
|
|
|
10.1002/CPHC.200900571
| |
|
Volume/pages
|
|
|
|
10
:18
(2009)
, p. 3249-3259
| |
|
ISI
|
|
|
|
000273410600015
| |
|
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
|
|
|
|
| |
|