Synthesis of Ag–Carbon–TiO2 composite tubes and their antibacterial and organic degradation properties

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology 2020-02, Vol.93 (2), p.291-301
• Main Authors: Ji, Lijun, Qin, Xiang, Zheng, Jingjing, Zhou, Shu, Xu, Tong, Shi, Guojun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibacterial materials; Carbon; Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; colloids; Composites; etc.; Fibers; Glass; Gold; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper: Nano-structured materials (particles; Photodegradation; Polystyrene resins; Pyrolysis; Rhodamine; Silver; Titanium dioxide; Tubes; Wastewater treatment; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-019-05197-8

Ag–Carbon–TiO 2 composite tubes were prepared by using polystyrene/AgNO 3 composite fibers as a sacrifice template and a co-pyrolysis process. The Ag–Carbon–TiO 2 tubes were characterized by SEM, TEM, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrum, XPS, and UV–vis spectrum. The results showed that the Ag–Carbon–TiO 2 tubes possessed uniform tubular structure with amorphous carbon, graphitic carbon, and Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) distributing uniformly in TiO 2 . The Ag–Carbon–TiO 2 tubes were confirmed high UV–vis light utilization and photocatalytic degradation efficiency to Rhodamine B due to the carbon doping, the surface plasmon resonance of AgNPs and the tubular structure, and the degradation of Rhodamine B reached 90% in 6 h. Meanwhile, they showed an excellent antibacterial effect on staphylococcus aureus, and the fatality rate of Ag–Carbon–TiO 2 tubes to staphylococcus aureus reached 99.9% in 24 h when its concentration was higher than 4 mg/ml. The co-pyrolysis process could repress the AgNPs to grow to be large particles, which could be a key for the excellent antibacterial property. The research showed a promising strategy for preparing Ag–Carbon–TiO 2 composite tubes by co-pyrolysis of PS composite electrospinning fibers, indicating their potential application in wastewater treatment and antibacterial materials. Highlights Ag-Carbon-TiO 2 composite tubes are prepared by co-pyrolysis of polystyrene/AgNO 3 fibers. AgNPs distribute uniformly in C doped TiO 2 due to the co-pyrolysis process. The Ag-Carbon-TiO 2 tubes have a thin tube wall without broken or crumbling. The size growth of AgNPs can be repressed by the co-pyrolysis process. The Ag-Carbon-TiO 2 tubes show excellent antibacterial and oganic degradation properties.