Study on the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide nanostructures: Nanoparticles, nanotubes and ultra-thin films

摘要

In this work, we compare the antibacterial activity and hydroxyl radical generation of three different titanium dioxide nanostructures (immobilized titania nanoparticles, nanotubes and ultra-thin films) to find the optimum morphology and processing conditions that could enhance their antibacterial response when this kind of materials are used in catalyst fixed-bed reactors design. It was demonstrated that photocatalytic activity not only depends on direct contact of the catalyst with the pathogen, but also on the concentration of oxidizing species that can be generated in the nanostructured material itself.