Antibacterial Activity and Photocatalysis of Electrosprayed Titania Films

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) films were successfully deposited on conductive glass substrates by electrostatic spray. The effect of annealing temperature on the structural and photocatalytic properties of TiO2 films were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy), and UV visible spectroscopy. TiO2 films annealed at higher temperatures showed excellent photocatalytic activity through degradation of methylene blue under UV irradiation. The highest photocatalytic activity (92.2% photodegradation of methylene blue after 4 hours irradiation under UV light) was measured for a TiO2 film annealed at 500 degrees C because of the formation of a nanocrystalline anatase phase. The antibacterial capabilities of annealed TiO2 were measured against gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) under UV light (lambda = 365 nm and I = 0.6 mW/cm(2)) and in the dark. Complete sterilization was observed with TiO2 films annealed at 500 degrees C and 600 degrees C after 1 hour of UV illumination (C) 2012 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.002211jes] All rights reserved.