Amorphous TiO₂ nanoparticles: Synthesis and antibacterial capacity

Author:

Mónica Andrea Vargas  Jorge E. Rodríguez-Páez  

Journal:

Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids

Issue Date:

2017

Abstract(summary):

Abstract In this work, the sol-gel method was used to synthesize titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), a process that allowed elaboration of the different phases of TiO 2 , in a controlled manner through heat treatments, ensuring the purity of the oxide and the nanometric size of the particles. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the synthesized powders were amorphous up to a temperature T < 350 °C, with a particle size of ~ 100 nm, determined by electron microscopy (TEM and SEM). Considering the nature of the synthesis process used, a mechanism was put forward that would allow explanation of the formation of amorphous TiO 2 nanoparticles (TiO 2 -ANPs). With the aim of studying the potential use of the synthesized TiO 2 -ANPs, their antibacterial capacity was studied. The inactivating effect on bacteria of synthesized amorphous TiO 2 was analyzed by recording the effect of its presence on bacterial strains of Escherichia coli . As such, prior to the addition of amorphous TiO 2 to the culture of E . coli , the oxide was activated by subjecting it to UV radiation for 1 h. The activated amorphous TiO 2 was immediately then placed in contact with the culture, which was not irradiated with UV during the course of this test. The results indicate that in the first 30 min of exposure of the bacteria to the activated amorphous TiO 2 , the presence of E . coli colonies was significantly reduced, with no presence being detected in the culture.

Page:

192-192