Nanotextured surfaces with iron oxide and titania for antibacterial and water purification applications via supersonic spraying

초록

Microbial infections pose a significant threat to public health worldwide. Antibacterial treatments are required to prevent bacterial contamination and protect public health. Herein we supersonically sprayed iron and titania NPs which are nontoxic earth-abundant and low-cost antibacterial materials to fabricate Fe2O3/TiO2-based antibacterial hybrid films capable of inhibiting E. coli by up to 100% upon ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. The supersonically sprayed iron and titania NPs were annealed to prepare Fe2O3/TiO2-based metal oxide nanosheets. The photomobilized electrons and holes generated superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals respectively via reduction and oxidation. The bare Fe2O3-based and hybrid Fe2O3/TiO2-based films were photoactivated via visible and UV lights and exhibited E. coli inhibition rates of 42.1% and 99.9% respectively. In addition the hybrid Fe2O3/TiO2-based films were superhydrophilic which promoted the strong adhesion of bacteriacontaminated aerosols between the surrounding atmosphere and films. The water-purification capability of the films was confirmed by the efficient photodegradation of a methylene blue solution upon UV irradiation.

키워드