Oxides of different metals often serve as
photocatalysts in various systems such as air purification,
reactions of water decomposition and even in the production of
self-cleaning surfaces for glass and mirrors. The physical-chemical
properties of such materials can be improved by adding
nanoparticles, which turn an ordinary oxide into a nanomaterial
with new capabilities. To successfully perform this, however, it is
necessary to understand the processes going on as a nanocomposite
is being formed, and to be able to control them. ITMO University
researchers together with their colleagues from France and the USA
have demonstrated how a femtosecond laser can be used to tune the
structure and nanocomposite properties for titanium dioxide films
filled with gold nanoparticles. The paper was published in the ACS
Journal of Physical Chemistry C.
