# TiO2 Bowl‐Like Nanocavity With Inner Au Embedded for Visible‐Light Photocatalysis

## TL;DR

A new TiO2 nanobowl with gold nanoparticles inside improves visible-light photocatalysis for degrading methylene blue.

## Contribution

The first synthesis of Au nanoparticles embedded within TiO2 nanobowls for enhanced photocatalytic performance.

## Key findings

- Au@@TiO2 shows markedly improved catalytic activity in visible-light degradation of methylene blue.
- The TiO2 nanobowl structure provides a stable support for inner Au centers.
- The method offers a new strategy for high-performance nanocomposite catalysts.

## Abstract

In this work, we developed a novel method to synthesize Au nanoparticles (NPs) and a TiO2 nanocomposite catalyst with Au NPs embedded individually within the inner surface of a TiO2 bowl‐like nanostructure (nanobowl) for the first time (denoted as Au@@TiO2). This unique TiO2 nanobowl shell can serve as a stable support for inner Au centers, and the resulting Au@@TiO2 shows markedly improved catalytic activity in the visible‐light degradation of methylene blue (MB) compared with Au‐embedded TiO2 Hollow Spheres (HSs) and Au‐deposited commercial P25 (denoted as Au@TiO2 and Au‐P25, respectively). Our well‐established nanobowl provides a new strategy and pathway for the synthesis of high‐performance nanocomposite catalysts.

Au centres embedded into TiO2 hollow cavity and bowllike inner shell: this unique Au@@TiO2 photocatalyst was prepared successfully by a chemical template‐etching method for the first time. Experimental results showed excellent photoactivity.