Heterostructured Ag@TiO2 Nanoribbons: Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity

Through the one-pot hydrothermal reaction of Ag and TiO2 with NaOH and the post treatment of acid washing and calcination, uniform Ag@TiO2 nanoribbons were synthesized on a large scale. The morphology of Ag@TIO2 was interesting: the interior of the nanoribbon has rich pores and Ag clusters were distributed homogeneously on the surface of the nanoribbons. The average width of Ag@TiO2 nanoribbons was 50 nm and their lengths can reach several tens of micrometers. The combination of Ag clusters with TiO2 nanoribbons not only increases the optical absorption efficiency of TiO2, but also facilitates the separation of the photo-generated charges. Consequently, Ag@TiO2 nanoribbons can induce the complete photo-degradation of methylene blue in a shorter time than isolated TiO2 nanoribbons.