TIO2 nanoparticle coatings with advanced antibacterial and hydrophilic properties prepared by flame aerosol synthesis and thermophoretic deposition

The production of thin coatings of TiO2 nanoparticles by aerosol flame synthesis and direct thermophoretic deposition is presented. Three different flame reactor configurations were designed in order to study the effect of particle size and film morphology on the performances of the coatings. Partic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Surface & coatings technology 2018-09, Vol.349, p.830-837
Main Authors: De Falco, Gianluigi, Ciardiello, Roberto, Commodo, Mario, Del Gaudio, Pasquale, Minutolo, Patrizia, Porta, Amalia, D'Anna, Andrea
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antimicrobial activity
Flame synthesis
Nanoparticle coatings
Photoinduced hydrophilicity
TiO2
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Summary:The production of thin coatings of TiO2 nanoparticles by aerosol flame synthesis and direct thermophoretic deposition is presented. Three different flame reactor configurations were designed in order to study the effect of particle size and film morphology on the performances of the coatings. Particle dimension, crystal phase and surface morphology were characterized using differential mobility analysis, Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The wetting behavior was investigated by water contact angle analysis, showing that titania coatings are characterized by a high photoinduced hydrophilicity. Measurements of the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation revealed a high antibacterial activity from TiO2 nanoparticle films. Finally, both the hydrophilic character and the bactericidal effects are found to be mainly dependent on the size of primary particles composing the coatings. The optimal synthesis conditions were identified in order to produce a self-cleaning and self-disinfecting coatings material, with a nearly superhydrophilicity and a high antibacterial activity, both activated by ordinary light radiation in standard room illumination conditions. [Display omitted] •A highly controllable and tunable technique for producing nano-TiO2 coatings is reported.•Coating performances are studied as a function of particle and coating properties.•Superhydrophilic and antibacterial coatings are produced.•Hydrophilicity and antibacterial activity are activated by standard room light.
ISSN:0257-8972
1879-3347
DOI:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2018.06.083