Study On Photocatalytic And Antibacterial Ability Of TiO2 And TiO2-SiO2 Coatings

Materials exhibiting photocatalytic properties have garnered considerable attention for diverse applications, including degrading toxic organic compounds, disinfection, and developing self-cleaning surfaces. This study focuses on the synthesis of coatings based on TiO2 and TiO2-SiO2, accomplished through the sol-gel method using Tetra-n-butyl ortho titanate and Tetraethyl orthosilicate precursors, followed by calcination at 500 degrees C. The phase compositions of the resulting coatings were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The band gap energy was quantified through UV-Vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic efficacy was examined by assessing the inhibition of Escherichia coli bacteria and the decomposition of the methylene blue solution. The adhesive capability of the coating to the ceramic tile substrate was evaluated via scanning electron microscopy. The outcomes reveal that the primary phase components of the coatings consist of anatase and rutile. The introduction of SiO2 in conjunction with TiO2 demonstrates a mitigating effect on the photocatalytic performance and organic matter decomposition compared to pure TiO2. Nevertheless, this reduction is marginal, and SiO2 positively influences enhancing the adhesion of the TiO2 coating to the ceramic substrate material.