Influence of titanium dioxide modification on the antibacterial properties

Antibacterial properties of 15 titania photocatalysts, mono- and dual-modified with nitrogen and carbon were examined. Amorphous TiO₂, supplied by Azoty Group Chemical Factory Police S.A., was used as titania source (Ar-TiO₂, C-TiO₂, N-TiO₂ and N,C-TiO₂ calcined at 300°C, 400°C, 500°C, 600°C, 700°C). The disinfection ability was examined against Escherichia coli K12 under irradiation with UV and artificial sunlight and in dark conditions. It has been found the development of new photocatalysts with enhanced interaction ability with microorganisms might be a useful strategy to improve disinfection method conducted under artificial sunlight irradiation. The efficiency of disinfection process conducted under artificial sunlight irradiation with carbon (C-TiO₂) and carbon/nitrogen (N,C-TiO₂) photocatalysts was similar as obtained under UV irradiation. Furthermore, during dark incubation, any toxicity of the photocatalyst was noted.