Paper Functionalized with Nanostructured TiO2/AgBr: Photocatalytic Degradation of 2–Propanol under Solar Light Irradiation and Antibacterial Activity

Abstract

A facile method to produce paper–TiO2 decorated with AgBr nanoparticles by a mild hydrothermal process at 140 °C was reported. The synthesis method was based on the immersion of the paper in a ready-made suspension of TiO2/AgBr, comprising TiO2 sol solution prepared in acidic conditions and AgBr solution (10−4 M). A paper–TiO2 sample was prepared and used as reference. The formation of crystalline phases of titanium oxide (TiO2) and silver bromide (AgBr) was demonstrated by XRD, Raman and EDX analyses. The surface morphology of the TiO2–AgBr was investigated by Field Effect Scanning Electronic Microscopy (FE–SEM). The photocatalytic performances of the prepared material were evaluated in the degradation of 2-propanol in the gas phase, under simulated sunlight illumination. Its antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (E. coli) were also assessed. The efficiency of photodegradation and the anti-bacterial properties of paper–TiO2–AgBr were attributed to an improvement in the absorption of visible light, the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the low recombination of photogenerated charge carriers due to the synergistic effect between TiO2 and AgBr/Ag nanoparticles.