This work focuses on the photocatalytic performances and antibacterial activity of TiO 2 and Au/TiO 2 nanosystems. While the former are obtained by a sol-gel route, the latter are synthesized by an innovative hybrid RF-sputtering/sol-gel approach, followed by ex situ annealing in air up to 600 • C. Important information on nanoparticle size, shape and distribution is obtained by the combined use of glancing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Subsequently, the photocatalytic performances of the obtained nanosystems in the decomposition of the azo-dye Plasmocorinth B and their antibacterial activity in the elimination of Bacillus subtilis are illustrated and discussed in comparison with films obtained from standard Degussa P25 powders. The obtained results show a significant dependence of the functional performances on the system's compositional, structural and morphological properties. In particular, the dispersion of gold nanoparticles on the TiO 2 matrix has a beneficial influence on the azo-dye photodegradation, whereas the antimicrobial activity of Au/TiO 2 films is retarded with respect to pure TiO 2 .

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F-doped β-MnO2 nanomaterials fabricated using a one-step plasma-assisted route display attractive functional performances in view of photo-activated self-cleaning/antifogging applications and wastewater treatment.