Yi Shen

Graduation Semester and Year

2015

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

Department

Materials Science and Engineering

First Advisor

Fuqiang Liu

Abstract

In this thesis, anatase TiO2 nanobelts (TNBs) have been successfully obtained via an optimized stirring-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. The impact of stirring speed has been studied. Difference in morphology caused by stirring speed was observed by high resolution Field-Emission SEM (FE-SEM). Methylene Blue degradation test indicated that at certain stirring speed, i.e., 700 rpm, which was the highest, produced the best photoactivity than commercial P25 TiO2.Furthermore, Au decorated TNBs were obtained by a simple reduction reaction with Au-containing precursor. The Au-TNBs were founded to outperform in MB degradation the commercial P25 TiO2 and the pristine TNBs under both UV and visible light. The result is believed to be caused by Au-induced Local Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) effect. The size of Au particles, which is a critical factor in LSPR effect, was adjusted by sintering temperature. It was shown that smaller particle size gave superior photocatalytic performance.

Disciplines

Engineering | Materials Science and Engineering

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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