Innovative strategy of construction of synergetic TiO/Au nanostructures with synergetic properties for photovoltaic
Nanotechnologies represent a fast growing market. Gold and titanium dioxide nanoparticles are an important part of this market, thanks to their optical and catalytic properties. Existing synergies between gold nanoparticles and their substrate, mainly via the plasmonic effect, allow modifying the optical response of catalytic and photovoltaic systems. A new versatile approach is proposed to form mesoporous nanostructures composed of gold and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The use of various syntheses allowed the formation of nanoparticles leading to a good control upon aggregation morphology and physical properties of centrifuged films. Finally, appropriateness of these films for a use as dye sensitized solar cell anodes was evaluated.