Study of photoexcitation and photocatalytic properties of Au@CeO₂ nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles covered by a layer of cerium oxide in so called core@shell arrangement are researched for their potential usage in wastewaters treatment (Figure below). Gold nanoparticles can absorb visible light which induces localized surface plasmon resonances. As a result, cerium oxide shell becomes reduced (Ce⁴⁺ → Ce³⁺) and the number of active sites at the catalyst surface increases. Our goal is to synthesize and characterize various Au@CeO₂ core@shell nanoparticles and study their photocatalytic properties.

Description

Nanoparticles of semiconductor, noble metal, and combined systems together with the ilustration of surface chemistry processes.