No abstract

An improved photocatalytic activity of semiconductor materials using incorporation of the noble metals such as Ag, Au, and Pt is a promising technology. In this study, Ag nanoparticle-TiO 2 nanotube structures (Ag-TNTs) have been investigated as a photocatalyst in different irradiation conditions using different characterization techniques. The results indicate that Ag nanoparticles dispersed uniformly on the TNTs' surface without any change in TNTs' morphology. In addition, Ag-TNTs exhibited lower photoactivity than the TNTs under UV irradiation. In contrast, Ag-TNTs increased the photoactivity in comparison with TNTs and the photocatalytic performance under sunlight irradiation. These phenomena could be contributed to the appearance of Ag nanoparticles on the nanotube surface.

Ag–TiO2 thin film was fabricated by DC magnetron sputtering and photoreduction methods. Characteristics of the film such as surface area, crystal structure, and chemical composition were investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X–ray diffractometry (XRD) and UV–vis spectra. The photocatalytic activity of Ag–TiO2 thin film was determined by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) solution under various irradiation conditions. The antibacterial property of Ag–TiO2 thin film was conducted in E. coli bacteria. Results showed that the photocatalytic and antibacterial property of Ag–TiO2 thin film are better than those of pure TiO2 thin film in the visible region. Ag–TiO2 thin film shows a great potential application in the antibacterial and environment field.