Visible-Light-Activated Plasmonic Photocatalysts of TiO<sub>2</sub>-Based Nanostructures by Pulsed Laser Ablation

Visible-light-activated TiO2 photocatalysts based on the localized surface plasmon resonance phenomenon were synthesized. Pulsed laser ablation and rapid heat treatment were used to deposit Ag nanoparticles supported on lower anatase TiO2 films as the main photocatalysts and upper TiO2 films as the passivation films to prevent chemical reaction of the Ag nanoparticles. Optical properties and photocatalytic activities were evaluated. It was found that the visible light (410 nm) photocatalytic activities were increased with decreasing thickness of the upper TiO2 films.