Antibacterial and photocatalytic activity of anatase phase Ag‐doped TiO 2 nanoparticles

Abstract

A simple and new solid-state molten-salt method to synthesise silver (Ag)-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles for solar light-induced photocatalytic applications is examined. Ag-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with varied Ag content ranging from 3 to 10% were synthesised by a single-step molten-salt synthesis method. The effect of Ag content on the antibacterial and photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles was tested. The prepared nanoparticles were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) diffusive reflectance spectrometer (UV–vis DRS) and powder X-ray diffraction. The SEM image of nanoparticles clearly showed the presence of agglomerated spherical particles. The EDX analysis of the particles confirmed successful doping of particles in the presence of the Ag in the particles. The doping of Ag in TiO2 produced TiO2 pure anatase phase. According to UV–vis DRS results, increasing Ag-doped content in the Ag-doped TiO2 resulted in a higher visible absorption capability of the materials. Ag doping also improved the antibacterial and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles. The maximum photocatalytic activity under light irradiation was observed for 5% Ag-doped TiO2.