Preparation and characterization of M/TiO2 (M = Ag, Au, Pt) nanocomposite thin films

M/TiO2 (M = Au, Ag, Pt) nanocomposite thin films were prepared on ITO glass by co-sputtering method and sol-gel route. The sol-gel derived films showed a tendency to form nanocomposites with low content of metal dispersion and anatase-type TiO2 matrix by heat treatment up to 500°C, while the films prepared by co-sputtering favored rutile-type TiO2 even for as-deposited films with high content of metal. The anodic photocurrents of the nanocomposites were observed not only in UV range but also in visible light range. The photoelectrode properties are strongly affected by content of metal dispersion.