Microfiltration Membranes Modified with Composition of Titanium Oxide and Silver Oxide by Magnetron Sputtering

In this work, the authors present the possibility of modification of polymer membranes by TiO2 + AgO coating created by the magnetron sputtering method. The two-component TiO2 + AgO coating can improve and shape new functional properties such as bactericidal and photocatalytic properties. The influence of magnetron power changes on the structure of the membrane was investigated as well. The structure and elemental composition of TiO2 + AgO coatings were analyzed using SEM and EDS technique. All deposited coatings caused a total inhibition of the growth of two investigated colonies of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis on the surface. The photocatalytic properties for membranes covered with oxide coatings were tested under UV irradiation and visible light. The filtration result show that polymer membranes covered with two-component TiO2 + AgO coatings have a permeate flux similar to the non-coated membranes.

Automated summary

The authors propose the modification of polymer membranes using TiO2 + AgO coatings created by magnetron sputtering, enhancing properties such as bactericidal and photocatalytic abilities. They also examine the impact of magnetron power changes on membrane structure. SEM and EDS techniques were used to analyze the structure and composition of the coatings, which were found to completely inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. Photocatalytic testing showed promising results under UV and visible light, with filtration performance similar to non-coated membranes.