One-step modified method for a highly efficient Au–PANI@TiO2 visible-light photocatalyst

This paper introduces the preparation of a visible light-active Au–PANI@TiO2 nanocomposite via a one-step chemical redox between aniline and chloroauric acid to modify TiO2. The Au–PANI@TiO2 ternary photocatalyst shows superior activity towards the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light compared to PANI@TiO2 and Au@TiO2 photocatalysts. The prominent photocatalytic performance of the Au–PANI@TiO2 ternary photocatalyst is ascribed to the synergism of the sensitized PANI and plasmonic Au nanoparticles. The photo-excited electrons of PANI and also the excited electrons of the Au nanoparticles induced by the localized surface plasmon resonance can transfer to TiO2, causing the enhancement of the surface electron densities of TiO2. This significantly improves the light absorption range of TiO2 to the visible light region.