1D sub 10 nm nanofabrication of ultrahydrophobic Ag@TiO2 nanowires and their photocatalytic, UV shielding and antibacterial properties

Abstract

Here we report the synthesis of 1D TiO2 sub 10 nm nanowires through one pot hydrothermal method in an alkaline NaOH medium at 95 °C for 36 h. Further, these TiO2 nanowires were embellished with silver (Ag) using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and ethylene glycol (EG) based solvothermal route at 160 °C for 4 h. With Ag decoration the photocatalytic activity was enhanced and the complete photooxidation of Methylene Blue (MB) was achieved in 35 min under optimized conditions. Super- and ultra-hydrophobic coating on cotton fabric exhibited a consistent antibacterial activity with enhanced UV-blocking property. Enhanced multifunctional properties observed were primarily attributed to the formation of Ag decorated 1D sub 10 nm TiO2 nanowires heterojunctions achieved using facile chemical route. Hence, such multiple functionalities make the 1D sub 10 nm TiO2 nanowires good candidate for industrial and domestic wastewater treatment.