Photoinactivation of bacteria by using Fe-doped TiO2-MWCNTs nanocomposites

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2016 Dec;27(12):177. doi: 10.1007/s10856-016-5788-0. Epub 2016 Oct 17.

Abstract

In this study, nanocomposites of Fe-doped TiO2 with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (0.1- 0.5 wt. %) were prepared by using sol-gel method. The structural and morphological analysis were carried out with using X-ray diffraction pattern and transmission electron microscopy, which confirm the presence of pure anatase phase and particle sizes in the range 15-20 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the surface compositions of the nanocomposites. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra confirm redshift in the optical absorption edge of nanocomposites with increasing amount of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Nanocomposites show photoinactivation against gram-positive Bacillus subtilis as well as gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fe-TiO2-multi-walled carbon nanotubes (0.5 wt. %) nanocomposites show higher photoinactivation capability as compared with other nanocomposites. The photoluminescence study reveals that the Fe-TiO2-multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites are capable to generate higher rate of reactive oxygen species species than that of other nanocomposites. Our experimental results demonstrated that the Fe-TiO2-multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites act as efficient antibacterial agents against a wide range of microorganisms to prevent and control the persistence and spreading of bacterial infections.

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus subtilis
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Carbon / chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Humans
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Light
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nanocomposites
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry
  • Particle Size
  • Phase Transition
  • Photochemical Processes*
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / chemistry
  • Surface Properties
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • titanium dioxide
  • Carbon
  • Titanium
  • Iron