Characterization, photocatalytic, and antibacterial activity of Ag–TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by electrical arc discharge method

Abstract

A simple, inexpensive and one-step synthesis route of Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles by arc discharge method is<br />reported. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron<br />microscopy. X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrate dominance of rutile to anatase phase in TiO2 and<br />formation of silver metal on TiO2 after arc discharge process. Scanning electron microscopy images exhibit<br />the increase of reduced nanoparticles in 5 minutes arc duration compared with 1 minute arc duration.<br />Photodegradation of Methyl Orange as a standard pollutant shows that the presence of silver in TiO2 was<br />found to enhance the photocatalytic activity. The high activity of silver doped TiO2 is due to the<br />enhancement of electron–hole separation by the electron trapping of silver particles. Antibacterial activities<br />of Ag-TiO2 nanoparticles were investigated at the presence of Escherichia coli bacteria.