Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial and photocatalytic performance of Ag/AgI/TiO₂ hollow sphere composites

Abstract

Dispersed TiO₂ hollow spheres were successfully prepared which was obtained via Ostwald ripening under solvothermal conditions without any templates or surfactants. Then, the AgI/TiO₂ was synthesized by the deposition−precipitation process. Finally, Ag/AgI/TiO₂ was obtained by a photocatalytic reduction way. Their characteristics were analyzed by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, N₂ adsorption−desorption measurements and UV-vis absorption spectra. To demonstrate the potential applications of such composites, their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) was studied by microcalorimetry for the first time, and their photocatalytic performance for degradation of different organic dyes under simulated UV and visible light was discussed. The results indicated that Ag/AgI/TiO₂ hollow spheres revealed elevated antibacterial and photocatalytic activity because of their unique morphology, hollow structure and high surface area. The mechanism of the excellent antibacterial and photocatalytic activity of Ag/AgI/TiO₂ hollow spheres are discussed which are attributed to the synergetic effect of Ag, AgI and TiO₂. It suggested that the new Ag/AgI/TiO₂ photocatalyst has broad application prospects in solar cell, sensor, antibacterial, catalysis and nanotechnology.

Keywords

Ag/AgI/TiO₂ / hollow sphere / Ostwald ripening / microcalorimetric method / antibacterial and photocatalytic performance

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 21601104, 21872081 and 21805163) and the Laboratory Open Foundation of Qufu Normal University (sk201722).

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