The fabrication of the antibacterial paste based on TiO2 nanotubes and Ag nanoparticles-loaded TiO2 nanotubes powders

ABSTRACT

We successfully synthesised TiO₂ nanotubes (TNTs) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)-loaded TiO₂ nanotubes paste. These were coated on a glass substrate by spin coating method, and their antibacterial activities were surveyed. The morphology of materials was defined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image; the crystalline structure and the composition of the materials were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Vibrational properties of the molecules existing in the sample were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and the transmittances of films were determined by UV–Vis transmittance spectroscopy. This research shows that the structure and morphology of TNTs did not change after they underwent the processes of paste preparing and film coating on a glass substrate. Furthermore, the transmittance of TNTs film (about 75%) is higher than Ag NPs-loaded TiO₂ nanotubes (Ag/TNTs) film (about 65%) in the visible region. Moreover, the antibacterial property of Ag/TNTs film shows its effectiveness against Escherichia coli bacteria, and the antibacterial efficiency is 99.06% for 24 h-incubation period in the dark condition.