Visible-light-induced bactericidal activity of titanium dioxide codoped with nitrogen and silver

Pinggui Wu, Rongcai Xie, Kari Imlay, Jian Ku Shang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6992-6997
Number of pages6
JournalEnvironmental Science and Technology
Volume44
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 15 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Visible-light-induced bactericidal activity of titanium dioxide codoped with nitrogen and silver'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this