Multifunctional ZnO/TiO2 nanoarray composite coating with antibacterial activity,cytocompatibility and piezoelectricity

Metal oxides with nanostructures such as zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO₂) have been used in biomedical fields for their multifunctional properties. In this study, ZnO/TiO₂ nanoarray (nZnO/TiO₂) coatings were prepared via hydrothermal synthesis followed by low temperature liquid phase method. The particle size of the composites were no more than 100 nm in diameter, assembled into nanoarray on the Ti substrate. In vitro antibacterial experiments showed that the maximum bacteriostatic rate could reach 99% against Staphylococcus aureus and 90% against Escherichia coli, respectively. Moreover, the nZnO/TiO₂ coatings were of cytocompatibility and biocompatibility, promoting the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 and the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The piezoelectric properties of nZnO/TiO₂ coatings were preliminarily investigated. The smaller the size of the composite particle was, the better the antibacterial property, biocompatibility and piezoelectric properties were. Under the stimulation of the periodic loading, the growth of MC3T3-E1 was promoted, so the secretion of ALP was. The nZnO/TiO₂ composite coating with antibacterial activity, osteogenesis and intellectual stimulation would be a promising smart coating for orthopedic implants.     

Comparison and optimization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) recovery fromAlcaligenes eutrophus and recombinantEscherichia coli

The recovery of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [PHB] fromAlcaligenes eutrophus and a recombinantEscherichia coli strain harboring theA. eutrophus poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) biosynthesis genes was studied. When PHB was recovered using sodium hypochlorite or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), non-PHB cell materials (NPCM) of the recombinantE. coli seemed to be more easily digested than those ofA. eutrophus. Furthermore, viscosity increase caused by cell lysis during SDS treatment was negligible for the recombinantE. coli, whereas a very viscous suspension was formed forA. eutrophus. These results, together with our previous finding that PHB in the recombinantE. coli is far less susceptible to molecular degradation by sodium hypochlorite, suggested that the recombinantE. coli was more beneficial than A.eutrophus in terms of PHB recovery. In order to develop an easy and efficient recovery process, we adopted and optimized the SDS treatment since, with the hypochlorite treatment, we could not handle high biomass concentrations effectively. We could obtain a PHB of 95 % purity with 96 % recovery under the optimal condition of a biomass concentration of 5 %, a ratio of SDS to biomass of 0.6, a treatment time of 60 minutes, and a treatment temperature of 30°C.     

Photoelectrocatalytic inactivation of E. coli XL‐1 blue colonies in water

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present work was the preparation of TiO₂ P‐25 working electrodes on Ti substrates (TiO₂/Ti), their characterization and the study of their photoelectrocatalytic activity towards the inactivation of E. coli XL‐1blue (E. Coli) colonies, used as model pathogenic bacteria, in a novel batch photoelectrochemical reactor. RESULTS: After annealing of the TiO₂/Ti specimens at 500 °C, the surface morphology and crystal structure of the TiO₂ film electrodes were examined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), while from differential capacitance measurements the flat band potential was calculated (V_fb = ? 0.54 V versus Ag/AgCl). The results of photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) experiments concerning the disinfection of E. coli colonies were compared with those of electrochemical (EC) and photocatalytic (PC) inactivation of the pathogen and showed a significant synergy effect in the case of PEC disinfection, leading, at + 1.0 V vs Ag/AgCl cell voltage, to a 100% increase of the apparent rate constant, k_o, in comparison with the simple photocatalytic process. Reuse experiments showed that the working electrode retains its effectiveness after, at least, 15 times of reuse. CONCLUSIONS: The photoelectrocatalytic inactivation of E. coli colonies has been studied under artificial illumination in a novel photoelectrocatalytic reactor. The inactivation of 10³ CFU mL^?1 E. coli colonies followed first‐order kinetics, while parameters such as type of semiconductor and concentration of the microorganisms play an important role affecting the reaction rate constant. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Excellent antimicrobial properties of mesoporous anatase TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 composite films

Optically transparent, crack-free, mesoporous anatase TiO₂ thin films were fabricated. The Ag/TiO₂ composite films were prepared by incorporating Ag in the pores of TiO₂ films with an impregnation method via photoreduction. The as-prepared composite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectronic spectra (XPS) and N₂ adsorption. The release behavior of silver ions in the mesoporous composite film was also studied. Moreover, the antimicrobial behaviors of the mesoporous film were also investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The antibacterial activities of the composite films were studied by a fluorescence label method using Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a model. The as-prepared mesoporous TiO₂ films showed much higher antimicrobial efficiency than that of glass and commercial P25 TiO₂ spinning film. The facts would result from the high surface area, small crystal size and more active sites for the mesoporous catalysis. After the doping of Ag, a significant improvement for the antimicrobial ability was obtained. To elucidate the roles of the membrane photocatalyst and the doped silver in the antimicrobial activity, cells from a silver-resistant E. coli were used. These results indicated that Ag nanoparticles in the mesoporous were not only an antimicrobial but also an intensifier for photocatalysis. The as-prepared mesoporous composite film is promising in application of photocatalysis, antimicrobial and self-clean technologies.     

Inactivation of Escherichia coli using UV/Ag?TiO2/O3‐mediated advanced oxidation: application to ballast water disinfection

BACKGROUND: Ballast water discharge from ships is regarded as one of the four major risk factors that threaten global marine environmental safety, and ballast water treatment is vital to prevent the introduction of potentially invasive species. The UV/Ag? TiO₂/O₃ process has been investigated for its potential use for ballast water treatment using Escherichia coli (E. coli) as an indicator bacterium. Inactivation curves were obtained, and the occurrence of oxidants was studied. RESULTS: Compared with individual unit processes with ozone or UV/Ag? TiO₂, the inactivation of E. coli by the combined UV/Ag? TiO₂/O₃ process was enhanced, and the inactivation efficiency was improved with increasing ultraviolet intensity and ozone dose. The initial total residual oxidant (TRO) concentration was positively correlated with ozone dose, and resulted in faster decay rate for lower initial concentration. Persistence of TRO resulted in a cumulative bacteria mortality in the effluent. CONCLUSION: The UV/Ag? TiO₂/O₃ process was found to be efficient for E. coli inactivation in simulated ballast water. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Bone scaffolds from electrospun fiber mats of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) and their blend

In the present contribution, electrospinning was used to fabricate ultrafine fiber mats from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-2-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), and their 50/50 w/w blend for potential use as bone scaffolds. Cytotoxicity evaluation of these as-spun fiber mats with human osteoblasts (SaOS-2) and mouse fibroblasts (L929) indicated biocompatibility of these materials to both types of cells. The potential for use of these fiber mats as bone scaffolds was further assessed in vitro in terms of the attachment, the proliferation, and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of SaOS-2 that were seeded or cultured at different times. The cells appeared to adhere well on all types of the fibrous scaffolds after 16 h of cell seeding. During the early stage of the proliferation period (i.e., from ∼24 to 72 h in culture), the viability of the cells increased considerably and appeared to be unchanged with further increase in the time in culture. In comparison with the corresponding solution-cast film scaffolds, all of the fibrous scaffolds exhibited much better support for cell attachment and proliferation. Lastly, among the various fibrous scaffolds investigated, the electrospun fiber mat of the 50/50 w/w PHB/PHBV blend showed the highest ALP activity. These results implied a high potential for use of these electrospun fiber mats as bone scaffolds.     

Fabrication and Evaluation of Polycaprolactone–Poly(hydroxybutyrate) or Poly(3‐Hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐Hydroxyvalerate) Dual‐Leached Porous Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

Polycaprolactone (PCL) blend with poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) or poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) dual‐leached scaffolds are prepared by using the solvent casting and salt–polymer‐leaching technique. The blending of the PHB and PHBV in PCL scaffolds results in decreased porosities of the scaffolds, and the water absorption capacities of the scaffolds also decrease. The compressive modulus of the PCL–PHB and PCL–PHBV dual‐leached scaffolds is greatly increased by the blending of PHB or PHBV matrix. An indirect cytotoxicity evaluation of all scaffolds with mouse fibroblastic cells (L929) and mouse calvaria‐derived preosteoblastic cell (MC3T3‐E1) indicates that all dual‐leached scaffolds are posed as nontoxic to cells. Both PCL–PHB and PCL–PHBV dual‐leached scaffolds are supported by the attachment of MC3T3‐E1 at significantly higher levels to tissue culture polystyrene plate (TCPS) and are able to support the proliferation of MC3T3‐E1 at higher levels to that cells on TCPS and PCL scaffolds. For mineralization, cells cultured on surfaces of PCL–PHB and PCL–PHBV dual‐leached scaffolds show higher mineral deposition than on TCPS and PCL scaffold.

     

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.     

Photocatalytic Disinfection of E. coli Using Silver-Doped TiO2 Coated on Cylindrical Cordierite Honeycomb Monolith Photoreactor Under Artificial Sunlight Irradiation

In this paper, TiO₂ and Ag-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts were coated on the cylindrical cordierite honeycomb monolith (CHM) to evaluate their photocatalytic disinfection against Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria under artificial sunlight irradiation. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed a single-phase anatase structure for TiO₂ samples calcined at 500 °C for 2 h. With the presence of Ag, the bandgap of TiO₂ becomes narrower, and the absorption edge shifts toward the visible region. 6 mol% Ag-doped TiO₂ (6Ag-T) showed a reduction of bandgap energy to 2.2 eV. TiO₂ and Ag-doped TiO₂ solutions were prepared and coated on the channels’ surface of CHM for antibacterial applications. Although monolithic TiO₂ caused a slight decrease in the number of alive E. coli, Ag dopant showed significant improvement in antibacterial properties. 6 mol% Ag-doped TiO₂ coated on CHM (6Ag-T/S10/M) showed strong antibacterial effectiveness against E. coli that the bacterial cell concentration dropped to zero after 1 h of exposure. Impressively, reusability tests with these materials showed superior performance, where the antibacterial remains unchanged after five or seven successive operation cycles.

Graphical Abstract

     

Silver Loaded Nanofibrous Curdlan Mat for Diabetic Wound Healing: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

A fibrous scaffold of curdlan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blend is prepared by electrospinning technique and antimicrobial property is imparted to it by the addition of silver nitrate (1, 3, and 5 wt%). All the scaffolds except the PVA/curdlan with 5 wt% AgNO₃ show good viability of Swiss 3T3 fibroblast cells. Significant reductions in the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are also observed in all the scaffolds. In vitro scratch assay and cell adhesion studies indicate that the scaffold containing 1% AgNO₃ shows significant wound healing and better cell spreading. The in vivo results also show faster healing of excision wounds in diabetic rats treated with the same material when compared to the control and the commercial sample. Furthermore, downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and upregulation of anti‐inflammatory cytokines on the skin of the treated animals confirm that PVA/curdlan/1% AgNO₃ electrospun mat could be a promising material for diabetic wound healing.     

Peracetic acid‐enhanced photocatalytic and sonophotocatalytic inactivation of E. coli in aqueous suspensions

BACKGROUND: Although chlorination is an effective and widely employed method of water disinfection, it suffers serious drawbacks such as the formation of toxic chlorinated by‐products. Therefore, other disinfection technologies have been researched and developed, including advanced oxidation. RESULTS: The efficacy of heterogeneous photocatalysis and sonophotocatalysis induced by UV‐A irradiation and low frequency (24–80 kHz) ultrasound irradiation in the presence of TiO₂ as the photocatalyst and peracetic acid (PAA) as an additional disinfectant to inactivate E. coli in sterile water was evaluated. PAA‐assisted UV‐A/TiO₂ photocatalysis generally leads to nearly complete E. coli inactivation in 10–20 min of contact time with the extent of inactivation depending on the photocatalyst type and loading (in the range 100–500 mg L^?1) and PAA concentration (in the range 0.5–2 mg L^?1). The simultaneous application of ultrasound and UV‐A irradiation in the presence of TiO₂ and PAA prompted further E. coli inactivation. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed advanced disinfection technology offers complete E. coli inactivation at short treatment times and low PAA doses. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Piezoelectric and dielectric properties of Bi0 ˙ 5(Na0 ˙ 84K0 ˙ 16)0 ˙ 5TiO3–Ba(Zr0 ˙ 04Ti0 ˙ 96)O3 lead free piezoelectric ceramics

Abstract

Lead free piezoelectric ceramics (1–x)Bi_0˙5 (Na_0˙84K_0˙16)_0˙5TiO₃–xBa(Zr_0˙04Ti_0˙96)O₃ (BNKT–BZT100x, wherein x ranged from 0 to 10 mol.-%) were fabricated by a conventional mixed oxide route, whose BZT content effect on electrical properties and crystalline structures was investigated. X-ray diffraction investigation showed that BZT effectively diffused into BNKT lattice and formed a solid solution during sintering, and their crystalline structures changed from rhombohedral phase to tetragonal phase as the BZT content was increased. Piezoelectric property measurements revealed that the BNKT–BZT4 ceramics had the highest piezoelectric performance: piezoelectric constant d ₃₃ reached 178 pC N^–1 and planar electromechanical coupling factor k _p was up to 0˙33. The influence of Bi₂O₃ doped content on electrical properties and crystalline structure of the BNKT–BZT4 ceramics were also studied, and found that the piezoelectric property of the ceramics was enhanced when Bi₂O₃ was doped.     

Water Disinfection Using Chitosan Microbeads With N-, C-, C-N/TiO2 By Photocatalysis Under Visible Light

Chitosan microbeads with C-doped TiO₂, N-doped TiO₂ and C,N-codoped TiO₂ were prepared to obtain photocatalysts with higher photocatalytic efficiency, active under visible light and easy to removed from aqueous medium. TiO₂ powders were synthesized by the sol–gel method and modified using glucose and ammonium nitrate as source of C and N, respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), DRUV–Vis spectra and Raman techniques, were used to characterize the modified TiO₂ powders. The structural and physicochemical properties of the microbeads were analyzed by nitrogen physisorption, functional groups were identified by Fourier transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and microbeads were observed by optical microscopy. The microbeads photocatalytic efficiency under visible light was evaluated monitoring the E. coli growth-inhibition, determined by colony count analysis (CFU—colony forming units). Results showed effectiveness in all tested composites to inhibit E. coli growth in 24 h under visible light. Furthermore chitosan microbeads with C,N-codoped TiO₂ showed the best performance in the degradation test being the most effective composite to achieving 99.99% of E. coli growth inhibition in less than 4 h.

     

Electrospun poly(hydroxybutyrate)/chitosan blend fibrous scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering

In this study, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was blended with chitosan (CTS), and electrospun in order to produce more hydrophilic fibrous scaffolds with higher mass loss rates for cartilage tissue engineering application. First, the effects of diverse factors on the average and distribution of fiber's diameter of PHB scaffolds were systematically evaluated by experimental design. Then, PHB 9 wt % solutions were blended with various ratios of CTS (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) using trifluoroacetic acid as a co‐solvent, and electrospun. The addition of CTS could decrease both water droplet contact angle from ～74° to ～67° and tensile strength from, ～87 MPa to ～31 MPa. According to the results, the scaffolds containing 15% and 20% CTS were selected as optimized scaffolds for further investigations. Mass loss percentage of these scaffolds was directly proportional to the amount of CTS. Chondrocytes attached well to the surfaces of these scaffolds. The findings suggested that PHB/CTS blend fibrous scaffolds have tremendous potentials for further investigations for the intended application. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44171.     

Construction of ternary Ag@ZnO/TiO2 fibrous membranes with hierarchical nanostructures and mechanical flexibility for water purification

Rational design of semiconductor membrane photocatalyst with good mechanical flexibility and excellent photocatalytic activity is of significance for environmental remediation. Herein, flexible Ag@ZnO/TiO₂ fibrous membranes with hierarchical nanostructures were fabricated through combining a simple electrospinning method and subsequent hydrothermal reaction and photodeposition process. In the ternary nanocomposite, ZnO nanorods were firmly anchored onto TiO₂ nanofibers, while Ag nanoparticles were evenly decorated on the surface of both ZnO and TiO₂. Benefiting from the improved light absorption, large surface area, and effective charge separation, the resultant Ag@ZnO/TiO₂ membranes displayed superior photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 91.6% toward tetracycline hydrochloride within 1 h, and also exhibited prominent antibacterial activity with a 6.5 log inactivation of E. coli after 1 h simulated solar light exposure. Significantly, the membrane photocatalyst still preserved structural integrity and mechanical flexibility after utilization. This study provides an alternative approach for designing and synthesizing flexible TiO₂-based membrane photocatalysts toward high-efficiency water purification.     

Green electrospun nanocuprous oxide–poly(ethylene oxide)–silk fibroin composite nanofibrous scaffolds for antibacterial dressings

Cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) nanoparticles have attracted extensive attention because of their excellent optical, catalytic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties and low cost. Nano-Cu₂O–poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)–silk fibroin (SF) composite nanofibrous scaffolds (CNSs) were fabricated through green electrospinning to impart excellent antibacterial properties onto nanofibrous scaffolds. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the nanofibers became more nonuniform and appeared more and more as beads in the nanofibers with increasing nano-Cu₂O concentration, and no obvious morphological changes were observed after 75% EtOH vapor treatment. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated that nano-cuprous oxide (nano-Cu₂O) was successfully loaded into the PEO–SF nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared–attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy results indicate that nano-Cu₂O did not induce SF conformation from random coils to β sheets. The SF conformation converted from random coils to β sheets after 75% EtOH vapor treatment. The results of water contact angle testing and swelling property measurement clarified that nano-Cu₂O–PEO–SF CNSs possessed outstanding hydrophilicity. Nano-Cu₂O–PEO–SF CNSs exhibited better antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria than PEO–SF nanofibrous scaffolds, and the antibacterial activity increased with increasing nano-Cu₂O concentration. Cell viability studies with pig iliac endothelial cells demonstrated that nano-Cu₂O–PEO–SF CNSs had no cytotoxicity. Nano-Cu₂O–PEO–SF CNSs are expected to be ideal biomimetic antibacterial dressings for wound healing. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47730.     

The photocatalytic efficiency of the metal doped TiO2 with ceramic foam as catalyst carriers

The metal doped TiO₂ was prepared with Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Ag(I), La (III), Nd(III), Ho(III), and Y(III) as doped catalysts. These catalysts were carried by ceramic foams to enhance their photocatalytic efficiency, which was later studied with methylene blue (MB) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) as targets. The results suggested that the photocatalytic activities of TiO₂ were enhanced when ceramic foams were used as catalyst carriers and that the photocatalytic efficiency could also be significantly increased by the dopants, especially by Ag(I) and rare earth. In the bactericidal activity testing, the inhibitory effect of TiO₂ on E. coli was enhanced significantly when ceramic foams were used as carriers. Ag(I) doped TiO₂ showed the greatest inhibition on E. coli. As to the E. coli cells treated by Ag(I) doped TiO₂, the observation with a Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) suggested that the cells could no longer maintain their morphology and the spheroplasts were formed after the treatment.     

Layered-lamination Preparing of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds via Emulsion Templates Method

Three-dimensional PHB porous scaffolds were prepared based on the mono-membrane fabricated by emulsion templates method. The key factors of the method affecting the pore size and porosity of the PHB scaffolds were studied. The surface of PHB scaffolds were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), which showed the even pore size and regularly arranged pore. The transect of the PHB scaffolds prepared using the templates method was good. Moreover, the effects of variation of surfactant content (P%) and water content (R) on the pore size and porosity of PHB films were discussed. Preliminary studies showed that when P% is less than 20%, the pore size made by emulsion templates ranged from 5 µm to 30 µm with the value of P increasing. As P% is up to 20%, it was interesting to see that the scaffolds had multi-pore size distribution, i.e., median pore sizes were about 5 µm and inside the wall of pore, there existed numerous micro-pore sizes, which can be controlled from 100 nm to 500 nm only by adjusting the parameter R of the microemulsion. The degradation experiment indicated that the degradation of PHB scaffolds were accelerated by enzyme in vitro and the porous configuration was favorable to its degradation.     

Fabrication of honeycomb‐structured porous films from poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) via the breath figures method

Formation of porous films from poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) using the breath figures (BF) method was investigated by evaporating solutions in chloroform in humid air and examining film structure using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). BF films were successfully fabricated from PHB (M_w = 486,000 g/mol) and displayed hexagonal arrays of pores, which varied in diameter (D = 7–2 μm) with solution concentrations (0.5–2.00%). SEM of fractured films also showed subsurface closed nano‐pores (D = 500–700 nm). BF films cast from PHBV (5% HV) formed arrays with smaller pores and apparent surface defects. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that porous PHB and PHBV films produced using the BF method were more crystalline than nonporous solvent cast films of PHB and PHBV. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Physical properties and photocatalytic performance of TiO2 coated stainless steel plate

This research was conducted for the development of TiO₂ thin film coated stainless steel useful in environmental and sanitary fields such as removal of indoor air pollutants and prevention of harmful microorganisms in the kitchen and bathroom. For this purpose, the research was focused on the examination of physical properties of coated surfaces as well as the photocatalytic performance of the steel plates. The coated steel’s cohesiveness and anti-corrosion effect were good enough to be used even in the hard environments. To test the photocatalytic performance of the TiO₂ thin film coated stainless steel plate, photodegradations ofm-xylene, a typical air pollutant produced by automobiles, andE. coli, under 365 nm UV irradiation, were conducted. The TiO₂ coated stainless steel plate considerably enhanced the degradation efficiencies ofm-xylene andE. coli.