Development of Titania Nanotubes Loaded with Au Nanoparticles and their Opto-electronic Response under UV Light

Au nanoparticles surfacemodified titania nanotubes were produced by direct current (DC) magnetic sputtering technology. The morphology of the nanotubes was characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Opto-electronic properties were tested under UV light. Comparing with original titania nanotubes, Au/TiO2 nanotubes can generate the photocurrent with great improvements in constant potential and dynamic potential. At constant potential (1.0V) test under UV light, the photovoltaic current generated by Au/TiO2 is 0.4mA, 1.8-fold of original nanotubes’. While at dynamic photocurrent (-1.5V to 1.5V) test, the photocurrent has reached 0.75mA, which is 3.75-fold of that for original nanobubes under the scan voltage of 1.5V.