Electrokinetic and antibacterial properties of needle like‐TiO2/polyrhodanine core/shell hybrid nanostructures

The aim of this study was to fabricate needle like‐TiO₂/polyrhodanine nanostructures by polymerizing rhodanine monomer on the TiO₂ nanoparticles' surfaces and investigate their antibacterial activities. The structural, thermal, morphological, surface and electrical properties of non‐covalently functionalized nanoparticles were characterized by using FTIR, XPS, elemental analysis, TGA, XRD, SEM‐EDX, TEM, contact angle, and conductivity measurements. Characterization results confirmed the formation of needle like‐TiO₂/polyrhodanine (PRh) core/shell hybrid nanostructures. Alterations on the surface and electrokinetic properties of the materials were characterized by zeta (ζ)‐potential measurements with the presence of various salts and surfactants. The ζ‐potential of needle like‐TiO₂ was observed to increase from ?7.6 mV to +28.4 mV after forming a core/shell needle like‐TiO₂/PRh nanocomposite structure and with the presence of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant. Thereby colloidally more stable dispersions were formed. Antibacterial properties of needle like‐TiO₂/PRh were also tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli by various methods and they showed good antibacterial activity. The highest killing efficiency was determined for needle like‐TiO₂/PRh against E. coli by colony‐counting method as 0.95. TEM experiments also showed the immobilizations of the nanoparticles on E. coli and revealed the interactions between E. coli and the nanoparticles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41554.     

Direct grafting poly(methyl methacrylate) from TiO2 nanoparticles via Cu2+‐amine redox‐initiated radical polymerization: An advantage of monocenter initiation

Cu²⁺ can oxidize amines to generate radicals to initiate radical polymerization of electron‐deficient monomers under mild conditions. Here, CuSO₄‐catalyzed redox‐initiated radical polymerizations of methyl methacrylate from amino‐functionalized TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂‐NH₂ nanoparticles) was performed to prepare TiO₂ nanoparticles grafted with poly(methyl methacrylate) (TiO₂‐g‐PMMA hybrid nanoparticles) in dimethylsulfoxide or N,N‐dimethylformamide at 90°C. Infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the grafted PMMA and the grafting yield was about 50 wt%. Microscopy and particle‐size analysis indicated that TiO₂‐g‐PMMA nanoparticles had a good affinity to organic media. Because only aminyl radical (? NH?) on TiO₂ nanoparticles formed in Cu²⁺‐amine redox‐initiation step, there was no free PMMA chains formed during polymerization. Thus, our protocol provides a facile strategy to prepare inorganic/organic hybrid nanoparticles via one‐pot Cu²⁺‐amine redox‐initiated free radical polymerization. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:735–744, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A physical route to porous ethyl cellulose microspheres loaded with TiO2 nanoparticles

Porous ethyl cellulose (EC) microspheres were prepared via a physical method in oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions. The morphologies and pore structures of the resulting porous microspheres were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury porosimeter and spectrometer equipped with an integrating sphere. The increase of EC amount in oil phase will increase the size of the microspheres. All the microspheres possess open macropores in the shell and interconnected pores inside the microspheres by means of phase separation. The saturation of the Ethyl acetate (EA) in external phase has an effect on the morphology of the EC particles obtained. Using EA unsaturated aqueous solution as the external water phase in the emulsion process results in the formation of porous EC particles with irregular shape. The loaded TiO₂ nanoparticles uniformly disperse in EC matrix, and slightly deceases the size and volume of interconnected pores inside the microspheres. The addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles is also proved to increase the light‐scattering power of the porous EC microspheres. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40822.     

Ag@AgCl‐TiO2/organic rectorite/quaternized chitosan microspheres: An efficient and environmental photocatalyst

A plasmonic composite, Ag@AgCl‐TiO₂/OREC, was prepared by sol–gel combing calcination technique, precipitation, and photoreduction method. Then, Ag@AgCl‐TiO₂/OREC/QCS composite microspheres were fabricated by an emulsification/chemical crosslinking method using quaternized chitosan and Ag@AgCl‐TiO₂/OREC as scaffolds materials, potassium persulphate as initiator and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker. The resulting materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV‐visible diffused reflectance spectra (UV–vis DRS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM showed that the Ag@AgCl‐TiO₂/OREC/QCS composite microspheres had loose, rough surface, and spherical shape, with an average diameter of 15–45 μm. The Ag@AgCl‐TiO₂/OREC/QCS composite microspheres present good adsorption–photocatalytic activities in the degradation of methylene orange (MO) and 92.1% MO was degraded after irradiation for 180 min. The high photocatalysis activity was attributed to the combined results of the relative high adsorption capacity, loose structure, and the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles formed on the surface of AgCl. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44601.     

Effect of hydrothermally synthesized titanium nanotubes on the behaviour of polypropylene for antimicrobial applications

TiO₂ nanotubes (TiO₂‐Ntbs) synthesized by a hydrothermal method were used as filler to prepare polypropylene (PP) composites by melt blending. Their structural properties as well as their biocidal potential were studied. Nanotubes were used either as‐synthesized or organically modified with hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (Mod‐TiO₂). These nanoparticles form secondary structures with sizes around 100 nm that are well dispersed in the polymer matrix, but not homogeneously because agglomerates larger than 1 µm are also seen by transmission electron microscopy. Regarding the properties of the composites, the incorporation of the nanoparticles increased the polymer's crystallinity and thermal stability. The maximum decomposition temperature of the matrix increased by ca 13 °C compared to virgin PP. The nanotubes further increase the spherulite nucleation density, and therefore a reduction in the diameter of spherulites and an increase in their number were observed. Despite the above, the addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles did not modify the mechanical properties of PP. The PP/TiO₂‐Ntb nanocomposites exposed to UVA radiation showed a biocidal behaviour, reducing a colony of Escherichia coli by 81%. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Novel feature of nano‐titanium dioxide on textiles: Antifelting and antibacterial wool

In this study, the antifelting and antibacterial features of wool samples treated with nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) were evaluated. To examine the antifelting properties of the treated samples, the fabric shrinkage after washing was determined. The antimicrobial activity was assessed through the calculation of bacterial reduction against Escherichia coli (Gram‐negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram‐positive) bacteria. TiO₂ was stabilized on the wool fabric surface by means of carboxylic acids, including citric acid (CA) and butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA). Both oxidized samples with potassium permanganate and nonoxidized wool fabrics were used in this study. The relations between both the TiO₂ and carboxylic acid concentrations in the impregnated bath and the antifelting and antibacterial properties are discussed. With increasing concentration in the impregnated bath, the amount of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the surface of the wool increased; subsequently, lower shrinkage and higher antibacterial properties were obtained. The existence of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the surface of the treated samples was proven with scanning electron microscopy images and energy‐dispersive spectrometry. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

A novel route for the synthesis of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) grafted TiO2 nanoparticles via surface thiol‐lactam initiated radical polymerization

Hybrid nanocomposites of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized via surface thiol‐lactam initiated radical polymerization by following the grafting from strategy. Initially, TiO₂ nanoparticles were modified by 3‐mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane to prepare thiol functionalized TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂? SH). Subsequently, surface initiated polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate was conducted by using TiO₂? SH and butyrolactam as an initiating system. The anchoring of PHEMA onto the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles was investigated by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, XPS, TGA, and XRD analyses. The experimental results indicated a strong interaction between PHEMA and TiO₂ nanoparticles owing to covalent bonding. The TEM and SEM images of PHEMA‐g‐TiO₂ showed that the agglomeration propensity of TiO₂ nanoparticles was significantly reduced upon the PHEMA functionalization. The molecular weight and polydispersity index of the cleaved PHEMA from the surface of TiO₂ nanocomposites were estimated by GPC analysis. An improved thermal property of the nanocomposites was observed from TGA analysis. PHEMA‐g‐TiO₂ nanocomposites were found to be highly dispersible in organic solvents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Rattle‐Structured Ag/TiO2 Nanocomposite Capsules with Bactericide and Photocatalysis Activities

A structural design featuring rattle‐type silver/titania (Ag/TiO₂) core/shell, that is, Ag@TiO₂, composite microcapsules is produced. The TiO₂ shell protects the encapsulated, movable Ag nanoparticles from breaking away under moderate loading, minimizing hence adverse environmental and biological exposure due to the metal loss, whereas the mesoporous shell serves as conduits for Ag ions released from the caged Ag nanoparticles to kill Escherichia coli in aqueous solutions under dark condition. The anatase TiO₂ shell imparts an additional, synergistic photocatalysis activity under ultraviolet irradiation. A pronouncedly enhanced photocatalysis activity results when the Ag@TiO₂ composite capsules were thermally annealed under vacuum. This “rattle‐in‐ball” hybrid architecture enables bifunctional bactericide and photocatalysis capability under both light and dark conditions, as well as mitigated environmental and biological impact in practical use.     

Multifunctional properties of polyester fabrics modified by corona discharge/air RF plasma and colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles

In this study the possibility of tailoring the textile nanocomposite materials based on the polyester fabric and TiO₂ nanoparticles that can simultaneously provide desirable level of antibacterial activity, UV protection, and self‐cleaning effects with long‐term durability was investigated. To enhance the binding efficiency of colloidal TiO₂ nanoparticles, the surface of polyester fabrics was activated by low‐pressure RF air plasma, and corona discharge at atmospheric pressure. Obtained functionalized textile materials provided maximum antibacterial efficiency against gram‐negative bacterium E. coli. High values of UV protection factor (UPF) indicate the maximum UV blocking efficiency (50+) of these fabrics. The results of self‐cleaning test with blueberry juice stains and photodegradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution confirmed excellent photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles deposited on the fiber surface. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical enhancement of amine‐functionalized TiO2 reinforced polyimine composites

Polyimine vitrimers are known for their malleability, which endows these materials with properties such as self‐healing, recycling, and reshaping. To enhance the mechanical properties of the polyimine vitrimers, composites were fabricated by incorporating amine‐functionalized TiO₂ microspheres (amTiO₂MS) into polyimine matrix. The pure polyimine matrix and polyimine composites hybridized with TiO₂ microspheres (TiO₂MS) without surface modification were also obtained and examined as the controls in characterization. X‐ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy were employed to demonstrate the presence and distribution of amTiO₂MS and TiO₂MS in the polyimine matrices. The investigation of mechanical properties of the amTiO₂MS enhanced polyimine composites and control samples indicated that incorporation of amTiO₂MS and TiO₂MS exhibited different characteristic distribution, which strongly affected the performance of the composites. The optimal filling concentration of amTiO₂MS was found to be 3%, with which the microspheres were uniformly distributed in the polyimine matrix. The self‐healing behavior of the polyimine‐amTiO₂‐X was also studied. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46446.     

Investigation of the mechanical properties of a photocatalytic pseudo‐paint

Photocatalytic oxidative paints (e.g., a paint containing nano‐TiO₂) are used to break down volatile organic compounds to CO₂ by photooxidation reactions. In this research, a photocatalytic oxidative pseudo‐paint was made with acrylic–styrene copolymer latex, TiO₂ pigment, calcium carbonate extender, and TiO₂ nanoparticles as a photocatalyst. To investigate the effects of the pigment, extender, and nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of the samples and their relationship to their photocatalytic activity, different contents of the particles were dispersed in the paint formulation. The tensile strengths (TSs) of the samples were measured as the mechanical properties. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy analysis. We found that up to 3% nano‐TiO₂ enhanced the mechanical properties of the pigmented resin, whereas beyond this, TS decreased. In samples containing 3% nanoparticles, the incorporation of 15% TiO₂ pigment caused optimized mechanical properties, and beyond that, TS decreased because of particle agglomeration. In the absence of nanoparticles, the samples showed improvements in the mechanical properties with up to a 40% loading of pigment. The results reveal that the samples containing nano‐TiO₂ and pigment showed the same trend for the mechanical and photocatalytic properties before the critical pigment volume concentration (CPVC). However, when the extender was incorporated or TiO₂ particles were loaded beyond CPVC, the mechanical and photocatalytic properties correlation was compromised, and they were not directly correlated. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42885.     

Photosensitive antibacterial and cytotoxicity performances of a TiO2/carboxymethyl chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite hydrogel by in situ radiation construction

Nano‐TiO₂/carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) ternary nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared by freezing–thawing cycles and electron‐beam radiation with PVA, CMCS, and nano‐TiO₂ as raw materials. The presence of nano‐TiO₂ nanoparticles in the composite hydrogels was confirmed by thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray powder diffraction. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images also illustrated that the TiO₂/CMCS/PVA hydrogel exhibited a porous and relatively regular three‐dimensional network structure; at the same time, there was the presence of embedded nano‐TiO₂ throughout the hydrogel matrix. In addition, the nano‐TiO₂/CMCS/PVA composite hydrogels displayed significant antibacterial activity with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as bacterial models. The antibacterial activity was demonstrated by the antibacterial circle method, plate count method, and cell density method. Also, with the Alamar Blue assay, the cytotoxicity of the composite hydrogel materials to L929 cells was studied. The results suggest that these materials had no obvious cytotoxicity. Thus, we may have developed a novel, good biocompatibility hydrogel with inherent photosensitive antibacterial activity with great potential for applications in the fields of cosmetics, medical dressings, and environmental protection. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44150.     

TiO2‐Oligoaldaramide nanocomposites as efficient core‐shell systems for wood preservation

Homogeneous core‐shell systems were obtained with a growth, in controlled steps, of several oligoamides on TiO₂ nanoparticles. Derivatives of natural compounds, such as l ‐tartaric acid and α,α′‐trehalose, were used as diesters in the polycondensation reactions with ethylenediamine. TiO₂ anatase was chosen because of its high photo‐activity and its antimicrobial activity. The TiO₂ nanoparticles had been previously activated then functionalized using two different coupling agents, and finally, the TiO₂‐oligoamide nanocomposites were synthesized using two synthetic pathways. The final products were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT‐IR, and transmission electron microscope. These nanocomposites can show improved properties in comparison with the single components (TiO₂ nanoparticles or oligoamides), which are useful in many fields, such as antimicrobial coatings for surfaces in cultural heritage conservation. A nanocomposite (TiO₂‐polyethylenetartaramide) was used for applicative studies, and it has shown a good efficacy against fungal attack by Trametes versicolor on wood specimens (Fagus sylvatica). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42047.     

Hybrid polyaniline–TiO2 nanocomposite Langmuir–Blodgett thin films: Self‐assembly and their characterization

Polyaniline (PANi)–titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanocomposite materials were prepared by chemical polymerization of aniline doped with TiO₂ nanoparticles. Surface pressure–area (π‐A) isotherms of these nanocomposites show phase transformations in the monolayer during compression process. Multiple isotherms indicate that the monolayer of the nanocomposite material can retain its configuration during compression‐expansion cycles. Langmuir–Blodgett thin films of PANi–TiO₂ nanocomposite were deposited on the quartz and indium tin oxide coated conducting glass substrates. Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy study indicates the presence of TiO₂ in PANi, whereas X‐ray Diffraction study confirmed the anatase phase of TiO₂ and particle size (～nm) of PANi–TiO₂. The morphology of Langmuir–Blodgett films of these nanocomposites was also characterized by atomic force microscopy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41386.     

Antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles synthesized by bioaffinity adsorption coupled with TiO2 photocatalysis

BACKGROUND: On the basis of effective bioaffinity adsorption of Ag⁺, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesized on the surface of chitosan‐TiO₂ adsorbent (CTA) by TiO₂ photocatalysis for crystal growth. RESULTS: Among the microstructure characterizations of the resulting silver nanoparticles‐ loaded chitosan‐TiO₂ adsorbent (Ag‐CTA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) revealed the formation of metallic Ag on the CTA, which was further confirmed by the surface plasmon resonance of Ag NPs in the UV‐visible absorption spectrum. The underlying mechanism behind the formation of Ag NPs on the CTA by TiO₂ photoreduction was studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The distinctive feature of Ag‐CTA after adsorption was the highly efficient antimicrobial activity in inactivating different test strains. In the case of Escherichia coli, 1.50 mg 1.67 wt% Ag‐CTA could totally inhibit 1.0–1.2 × 10⁷ colony forming units (CFU) in 100 mL nutrient medium, which was superior to that previously reported. CONCLUSIONS: CTA effectively adsorbed the precious metal ion Ag⁺ onto active imprinting sites on the adsorbent and then exerted efficient antimicrobial effects against diverse microbes. This research will be useful for designing a novel CTA‐based wastewater treatment for multi‐functional performance. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of carbon‐coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles as a photostabilizer on the photodegradation of rigid poly(vinyl chloride)

In this study, nanocomposites of rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (UPVC) using the synthesized carbon‐coated titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles and commercial powder of titanium dioxide (with rutile structure) were prepared by melt blending. The presence of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles with rutile structure in UPVC matrix led to an improvement in photo stability of UPVC nanocomposites in comparison with commercial UPVC. The photocatalytic degradation behavior of nanocomposites was investigated by measuring their structural changes, surface tension, and mechanical and morphological properties before and after UV exposure for 700 h. It was found that mechanical and physical properties of UPVC nanocomposites are not considerably reduced after UV exposure in the presence of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles even in small percentage of nanoparticles in comparison with the presence of commercial TiO₂ particles. Therefore, it can be concluded that UPVC/TiO₂ nanocomposite with low content of carbon‐coated TiO₂ nanoparticles(0.25 wt %) illustrated high stability under light exposure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40228.     

Synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon coated TiO2 microspheres and its application as metal support in cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation

N-doped carbon coated TiO₂ microspheres (CNx/TiO₂) were synthesized by the carbonization of the polypyrrole (PPy) coating on the surface of TiO₂ microspheres and used as support to disperse Pt and PtCo nanoparticles for investing the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. The support and catalysts have been characterized in terms of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The hydrogenation results showed the conversion increased with an increase of CNx amount until the CNx coated TiO₂ microspheres completely.     

Plasmonic Effects of Infiltrated Silver Nanoparticles Inside TiO2 Film: Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance in DSSCs

The plasmonic effects of infiltrated silver (Ag) nanoparticles, with different contents, inside a nanostructured TiO₂ film on the photovoltaic performance of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are explored. The synthesized Ag nanoparticles are immobilized onto deposited TiO₂ nanoparticles by a new strategy using 3‐mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), a bifunctional linker molecule. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images show that monodispersed Ag and polydispersed TiO₂ nanoparticles have an average diameter of 12 ± 3 nm and 5 ± 1 nm, respectively. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis reveals that Ag nanoparticles were successfully functionalized and capped with MPA. Optical studies on the MPA‐capped Ag nanoparticles inside TiO₂ film show an increase in the total absorbance of the electrode. Moreover, EIS measurements confirm that MPA‐capped Ag nanoparticles inhibit the charge recombination and improve the stability of nanoparticles in I₃^?/I^? electrolyte. The DSSC assembled with optimal content of MPA‐capped Ag nanoparticles demonstrated an enhanced power conversion efficiency (8.82% ± 0.07%) compared with the pure TiO₂ (7.30% ± 0.05%). The increase in cell efficiency was attributed to the enhanced dye light absorption in strength and spectral range due to the surface plasmon resonance of MPA‐capped Ag nanoparticles in the photoanode.     

Novel chitosan‐TiO2 nanohybrid: Preparation,characterization, antibacterial,and photocatalytic properties

In this report, chitosan (CS) encapsulated titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanohybrid was prepared by chemical precipitation method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the formation of nanohybrid. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed the immobilization of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the surface of CS. The nanohybrid was also characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and zeta potential. The nanohybrid exhibited high photocatalytic activity as evident from the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. The result revealed substantial degradation of the MB dye (90%) under UV‐light illumination. The catalytic efficiency was unaltered even after five cycles of reuse. In addition, the nanohybrid exhibited a superior antibacterial activity of 100% within 24 h of treatment against Escherichia coli (E. coli) was measured by colony forming units (CFU). POLYM. COMPOS., 35:327–333, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Bi2O3 nanoparticles incorporated porous TiO2 films as an effective p‐n junction with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Porous TiO₂ films decorated with Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles are fabricated via alkali‐hydrothermal of titanium (Ti) plate by varying the reaction time. The amorphous TiO₂ is transformed into anatase after annealing the films at 500°C in air. The p‐type Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles are successfully assembled on the surface of porous n‐type TiO₂ films through the ultrasonic‐assisted successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique to form Bi₂O₃/TiO₂ nanostructure by the two cycles. The obtained Bi₂O₃/TiO₂ films are consisted of a well‐ordered and uniform porous structure with an average pore diameter of about 100‐200 nm containing homogeneously dispersed Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles of ~5 nm diameter. Moreover, the resultant composites present excellent photocatalytic performance toward methyl blue (MB) degradation under UV and visible light irradiation, which could be mainly ascribed to the enhanced light adsorption capacity of unique composite structure and the formation of p‐n heterojunctions in the porous Bi₂O₃/TiO₂ films. This research is helpful to design and construct the highly efficient heterogeneous semiconductor photocatalysts.