Enhanced visible-light-induced photocatalytic disinfection of E. coli by carbon-sensitized nitrogen-doped titanium oxide.
Nitrogen-doped titanium oxide (TiON) nanoparticle photocatalysts were synthesized by a sol-gel process, for disinfection using E. coli as target bacteria. Our work shows thatthe calcination atmosphere has strong effects on the composition, structure, optical, and antimicrobial properties of TiON nanoparticles. Powders calcinated in a flow of N2 atmosphere (C-TiON) contain free carbon residue and demonstrate different structures and properties compared to the TiON powders calcinated in air. Disinfection experiments on Escherichia coli indicate that C-TiON composite photocatalyst has a much better photocatalytic activity than pure TiON photocatalyst under visible light illumination. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is related to stronger visible light absorption of the carbon-sensitized TiON.
Li
Qi
Q
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
Xie
Rongcai
R
Li
Yin Wai
YW
Mintz
Eric A
EA
Shang
Jian Ku
JK
D002384:Catalysis; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008027:Light; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry*; D010777:Photochemistry; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D004202:Disinfectants; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium; D009584:Nitrogen