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Photoelectrochemical and Electrocatalytic Behaviors of TiO2 Nanostructures and TiO2−Au Nanocomposites: Effect of Synthesis Conditions

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Abstract

Mesoporous TiO2 nanostructures and TiO2−Au nanocomposites with stabilized Au nanoparticles are synthesized by the template sol-gel process. The effects of synthesis conditions on the particle size, electronic structure, morphology, composition, and texture of prepared materials are determined. TiO2- and TiO2−Au-based electrodes are shown to be photoactive in the wavelength range of 250–412 nm and in the methylene blue (MB) photodecomposition and feature high catalytic activity in an oxygen electroreduction reaction. The presence of hydroxyl and carboxylate groups in the amorphous phase is the key factor affecting the photosensitivity of our TiO2 nanostructures and contributing to enhancement of their photoactivity in the MB photodecomposition reaction. Due to their catalytic activity and consistent performance in the oxygen electroreduction reaction, the TiO2 nanostructures and TiO2−Au nanocomposites can be considered as promising materials for use in electrochemical oxygen sensors with application to aqueous solutions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pisarzhevskii Institute of Physical Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 03028, Kyiv, Ukraine

    N. I. Romanovskaya, P. A. Manorik, N. I. Ermokhina, Ya. V. Kishenya, S. A. Sotnik & P. S. Yaremov

  2. Vernadsky Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 03142, Kyiv, Ukraine

    V. S. Vorobets & G. Ya. Kolbasov

  3. National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, 04070, Kyiv, Ukraine

    A. V. Polishchuk

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  1. N. I. Romanovskaya
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Translated by A. Kukharuk

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Romanovskaya, N.I., Manorik, P.A., Vorobets, V.S. et al. Photoelectrochemical and Electrocatalytic Behaviors of TiO2 Nanostructures and TiO2−Au Nanocomposites: Effect of Synthesis Conditions. Surf. Engin. Appl.Electrochem. 58, 1–12 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068375522010094

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