Abstract:

We show that the photodegradation efficiency of TiO₂ has been amplified 4-fold via the cooperativity of slow photons in photonic crystal and the incorporation of Pt nanoclusters. Various loadings of Pt nanoparticles were photodeposited on the surface of TiO₂ inverse opals and the photodegradation of adsorbed acid orange was investigated. While slow photons increased the effective path length of light, Pt nanoparticles extended the lifetimes of the UV-excited electrons and holes. With 2−4 wt % of Pt on the TiO₂ inverse opal, we demonstrate a synergistic optical and chemical enhancement for the first time.