Antibacterial silver-loaded TiO2 ceramic photocatalyst for water purification

We developed an antibacterial photocatalytic material for purifying drinking water by immobilizing Ag nanoislands, which exhibit bactericidal activity even under dark conditions, on a robust TiO2 ceramic photocatalyst designed for underwater use. Hydrothermal synthesis was used to immobilize Ag nanoislands onto the TiO2 ceramic. This Ag/TiO2 ceramic was treated by ultrasonication for a total of 947 min in water, following which the unstably supported Ag nanoislands were removed from the TiO2 ceramic. The Ag elution remained below the provisional safety standard limit of 0.1 mg/L. This Ag-loaded TiO2 ceramic photocatalyst showed significant bactericidal effects even under dark conditions, despite the low Ag elution. This Ag-loaded TiO2 ceramic photocatalyst can probably be used for the photocatalytic sterilization during solar photocatalytic water purification under cloudy or rainy conditions.

Automated summary

We developed an antibacterial photocatalytic material for purifying drinking water by immobilizing Ag nanoislands on a robust TiO2 ceramic photocatalyst. The material showed significant bactericidal effects even under dark conditions, making it suitable for solar photocatalytic water purification under cloudy or rainy conditions.