Photocatalytic Effect of TiO2 Films on Viruses and Bacteria

This paper deals with photocatalytic decomposition of organic matter and antibacterial and antiviral effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films. The TiO2 films were deposited on glass substrates by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) in a vacuum reactor with radio frequency (RF) low temperature oxygen plasma discharge using titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) as a precursor. The depositions were performed with substrates preheated from 20 to 350 degrees C and with a systematical change of deposition conditions. The speed of photocatalytic decomposition of the model organic matter acid orange 7 (C16H11N2NaO4S), bacteria Escherichia coli and viruses HSV-1 (Herpes simplex virus) were evaluated and some clues on the destruction mechanism are discussed.