Abstract
A facile method to produce paper–TiO2 decorated with AgBr nanoparticles by a mild hydrothermal process at 140 °C was reported. The synthesis method was based on the immersion of the paper in a ready-made suspension of TiO2/AgBr, comprising TiO2 sol solution prepared in acidic conditions and AgBr solution (10−4 M). A paper–TiO2 sample was prepared and used as reference. The formation of crystalline phases of titanium oxide (TiO2) and silver bromide (AgBr) was demonstrated by XRD, Raman and EDX analyses. The surface morphology of the TiO2–AgBr was investigated by Field Effect Scanning Electronic Microscopy (FE–SEM). The photocatalytic performances of the prepared material were evaluated in the degradation of 2-propanol in the gas phase, under simulated sunlight illumination. Its antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (E. coli) were also assessed. The efficiency of photodegradation and the anti-bacterial properties of paper–TiO2–AgBr were attributed to an improvement in the absorption of visible light, the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the low recombination of photogenerated charge carriers due to the synergistic effect between TiO2 and AgBr/Ag nanoparticles.
Highlights
Cellulose paper is a flexible and versatile material present in our daily lives for a wide range of applications
Examples of commercial development based on a paper–TiO2photocatalyst were reported by Nippon, where newsprint coated with TiO2 was proposed as an effective air cleaning material under UV illumination [9]
Given the lack of literature data concerning the coupling of AgBr with paper–TiO2 composites, we considered it worthy to investigate how the coupling of AgBr with TiO2 would affect the efficiency of photoactive TiO2−containing paper for the degradation of 2-propanol as a volatile organic compounds (VOCs) model molecule under simulated sunlight irradiation and room temperature
Summary
Cellulose paper is a flexible and versatile material present in our daily lives for a wide range of applications. Besides its traditional use as the main support in printing media (e.g., newspapers, books and printing paper) and eco-friendly packaging material, cellulose-based paper arouses much interest for new innovative applications, including electronic, smart functional packaging, and sensor, energy storage and catalysis after hybridization with metallic or oxide NPs, as reported in recent interesting reviews [1,2]. The water sensitivity of paper could be addressed by a polymer additive imparting a certain hydrophobic effect, as recently reported by Garusinghe et al [8]. They prepared water-resistant photocatalytic paper based on micro-fibrillated cellulose-polyamide-amine epichlorohydrin with immobilized TiO2 nanoparticles by a simple two-step mixing process, and the composite mater showed effective photocatalytic activity versus the degradation of dyes under UV-light irradiation. An air-deodorizing tissue box with TiO2-coated paper was proposed for air purification in the interior vehicle [9]
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