Enhanced Photocatalytic and Photokilling Activities of Cu-Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this work, metal-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) was synthesised with the aim of improving photocatalytic degradation and antimicrobial activities; TiO2 was doped with copper (Cu) ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 wt%. The physical and chemical properties of the Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET) and diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS). The results revealed that the anatase phase of TiO2 was maintained well in all the Cu-doped TiO2 samples. No significant difference in the particle sizes or the specific surface areas was caused by increasing Cu doping. However, the band gap decreased continuously from 3.20 eV for undoped TiO2 to 3.12 eV for 1.0 wt.% Cu-doped TiO2. In addition, the 0.1 wt.% Cu-doped TiO2 displayed a much greater photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and excellent antibacterial ability for Escherichia coli (E. coli) compared to undoped TiO2. On the other hand, the high Cu doping levels had negative impacts on the surface charge of nanoparticles and charge transfer for OH• generation, resulting in decreasing MB degradation and E. coli photokilling for 1.0 wt.% Cu-doped TiO2.

Copper and Copper Nanoparticles Applications and Their Role against Infections: A Minireview

“…Sunada [62] showed that the synergistic action of the photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 and that of copper ions produced a bactericidal impact of the Cu/TiO 2 combination even on copper-resistant E. coli cells under very low UV irradiation. Cu-doped TiO 2 showed superior antibacterial activity against E. coli when compared to undoped TiO 2 , as reported by Mingmongkol et al [63]. However, the high Cu doping concentrations of 1.0 wt.% and Cu-doped TiO 2 exhibited detrimental effects on the charge transfer, •OH generation, and surface charge of the nanoparticles.…”

Low-Temperature Synthesis of Cu-Doped Anatase TiO2 Nanostructures via Liquid Phase Deposition Method for Enhanced Photocatalysis

“…Although the experimental evidence for the enhancement in photocatalytic activity in TiO 2 through copper doping is inconclusive, copper doping can modify the large bandgap of TiO 2 to optimize its optical properties for visible-light harvesting. Mingmongkol et al doped TiO 2 with Cu ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 wt.%, which resulted in the bandgap decreasing from 3.20 eV for undoped TiO 2 to 3.12 eV for 1.0 wt.% Cu-doped TiO 2 [ 26 ]. Mathew et al reported that the visible light absorption property of Cu-TiO 2 increased and the band gap reduced to 2.8 eV with 0.5 mol% Cu [ 23 ].…”

[Retracted] CuO‐TiO2‐Chitosan‐Berbamine Nanocomposites Induce Apoptosis through the Mitochondrial Pathway with the Expression of P53, BAX, and BCL‐2 in the Human K562 Cancer Cell Line

“…These nanocomposites are commonly employed as nano delivery systems that improve bioavailability, biodistribution, and preferentially localizing diseased tissues while protecting healthy tissues. However, because of their chemical nature, many metal ion (TiO 2 /CuO) based nanoparticles also demonstrate effective antibacterial activity [ 30 , 31 ]. The antibacterial potential of a Berberis vulgaris plant extract against microorganisms linked with caries, such as Streptococcus spp.…”