Combination of photocatalytic and antibacterial effects of silver oxide loaded on titania nanotubes

Silver nanoparticles were photodeposited on titania nanotubes and their antibacterial activity was tested. Investigation of the structure and morphology of the nanostructures showed nanometer size silver oxide particles homogeneously distributed on titania nanotubes. Furthermore the modified titania nanotubes were spin-coated as thin films and their antibacterial activity was examined under visible light irradiation and in complete darkness. Although silver oxide loaded titania nanotubes (TiNT-AgO) has a potential for antibacterial activity in both conditions with and without light irradiation, enhanced activity was observed in visible light irradiation condition. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.