Effects of surface functionalization with alkylalkoxysilanes on the structure, visible light photoactivity and biocidal performance of Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles

Surface-modified Ag/TiO2 photocatalysts with enhanced activity under visible light and biocidal properties have been produced through a two-stagemethod involving the functionalization of TiO2 nanoparticles(NPs) with -SH or -NH terminated alkoxysilanes and deposition of AgNPs. The functionalization process increased the yield of the Ag deposition and promoted a more homogeneous distribution of the Ag over the TiO2 surface. The highest stability, homogeneity and visible range absorption was achieved by -NH functionalization. However, the modification with -SH groups alters the size of the AgNPs and decreases the effectiveness due to formation of Ag2S. The increased absorption in the visible spectrumaccelerated the organic dye degradation under solar light, although aggregation processes affected their effectiveness under UV-A. The incorporation of AgNPs allowed for the elimination of phototrophic microorganisms under white light at very low Ag concentrations whereas TiO2 and -SH functionalized Ag/TiO2 showed no biocidal activity. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Surface-modified Ag/TiO2 photocatalysts with enhanced activity under visible light and biocidal properties were prepared through a two-stage method involving the functionalization of TiO2 nanoparticles with -SH or -NH terminated alkoxysilanes and deposition of AgNPs. The functionalization process increased the yield of Ag deposition and promoted a more homogeneous distribution of Ag over the TiO2 surface. -NH functionalization achieved the highest stability, homogeneity, and visible range absorption, while -SH modification altered the size of AgNPs and reduced effectiveness due to the formation of Ag2S.