Synthesis and Characterization of Monolayer Protected Gold Nanoparticles and a Gold-Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposite intended for Photocatalytic Degradation of Environmental Pollutants

Author

Piyadarsha Amaratunga, Western Michigan University

Date of Award

8-2010

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Dr. Ekkehard Sinn

Second Advisor

Dr. Dongil Lee

Third Advisor

Dr. Yirong Mo

Fourth Advisor

Dr. John Miller

Abstract

Semiconductor and metal clusters in the nanometer size regime display interesting optical, electronic and chemical properties that are size dependant. Highly monodisperse gold nanoparticles of different sizes have been synthesized and isolated by newly developed methodologies, using tiopronin as the capping ligand. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Ti0₂) have been used as the photocatalytic center and gold nanoparticles have been attached on Ti0₂ to make a nanocomposite. According to the findings, gold nanoparticles play a vital role in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of Ti0₂, by facilitating the charge separation. Further, the photocatalytic activity also can be tuned by changing the gold loading on Ti0₂. The applicability of the nanocomposite has been evaluated towards the degradation of environmental pollutants.

Comments

5th Advisor: Dr. Brian Tripp

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

Recommended Citation

Amaratunga, Piyadarsha, "Synthesis and Characterization of Monolayer Protected Gold Nanoparticles and a Gold-Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposite intended for Photocatalytic Degradation of Environmental Pollutants" (2010). Dissertations. 495.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/495