Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using different routes with enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial properties

TiO2 photocatalyst was synthesised via a low-temperature sol-gel process using organic solvents (TO) and aqueous extract of mangrove leaves (TM) as media. The photocatalytic activities of the obtained TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated by degrading reactive red 195 (RR195) dye under UV irradiation. An increase in the dosage of both TO and TM photocatalysts, coupled with a decrease in the initial concentration of RR195 dye, enhanced the dye degradation rate. Reactive species scavenger analysis revealed that center dot O-2(-) radicals and electrons were the primary species involved in the photocatalytic degradation of RR195 dye. The antibacterial properties of both TO and TM NPs were also tested against S. aureus, E. faecalis and V. damsela bacteria using the disc diffusion method. The green method utilising TM demonstrated resistance to all three bacteria types, while TO exhibited greater resistance, specifically against V. damsela. Notably, TM NPs exhibiting inhibition comparable to Ciprofloxacin when used as a positive control.