Facile synthesis of porous nanospheres TiO2 as catalyst carrier for plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis

A new molecule 3-[2-(7-oxa-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-yl)-ethylsulfanyl]-propane-1,2-diol (CESPO) was synthesized by click reactions. The molecule has hydroxyl and thioether groups which could thus chelate with active cations. Through a sol-gel process, we thus fabricated porous nano-TiO2 in the presence of CESPO. The prepared TiO2 having high specific surface area and was composed of nanocrystals which are favorable for effective charge transport as photocatalyst carrier. On the other hand, Ag nanoparticles were loaded on TiO2 composites that could be utilized as photocatalyst for degradation of RhB. The experimental results exhibit plasmon enhanced photocatalytic activity depending on the loading amount of the AgNPs. This work provides a facile method to prepare porous oxides that could be adapted for catalyst carriers.