Abstract
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles codoped with nitrogen and silver (Ag 2O/TiON) were synthesized by the sol-gel process and found to be an effective visible light driven photocatalyst. The catalyst showed strong bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) under visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm). In X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction characterization of the samples, the as-added Ag species mainly exist as Ag2O. Spin trapping EPR study showed Ag addition greatly enhanced the production of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) under visible light irradiation. The results indicate that the Ag2O species trapped eCB- in the process of Ag2O/TiON photocatalytic reaction, thus inhibiting the recombination of e CB- and hVB+ in agreement with the stronger photocatalytic bactericidal activity of Ag2O/TiON. The killing mechanism of Ag2O/TiON under visible light irradiation is shown to be related to oxidative damages in the forms of cell wall thinning and cell disconfiguration.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 6992-6997 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Environmental Science and Technology |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 18 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 15 2010 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry
- Environmental Chemistry