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Photocatalytic Degradation of 17α‐Ethinylestradiol and Inactivation of Escherichia coli Using Ag‐Modified TiO 2 Nanotube Arrays
Author(s) -
Mao Kai,
Li Yi,
Zhang Houhu,
Zhang Wenlong,
Yan Wenming
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
clean – soil, air, water
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.444
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1863-0669
pISSN - 1863-0650
DOI - 10.1002/clen.201100698
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , materials science , degradation (telecommunications) , nuclear chemistry , dopant , scanning electron microscope , chemical engineering , photochemistry , nanotechnology , catalysis , chemistry , doping , organic chemistry , composite material , telecommunications , computer science , engineering , optoelectronics
Ag‐modified TiO 2 nanotube arrays (Ag/TiO 2 NAs) were prepared and employed as a photocatalyst for degradation of 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE2) and inactivation of Escherichia coli . The as‐synthesized Ag/TiO 2 NAs were characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that metallic Ag nanoparticles were firmly deposited on the TiO 2 NAs with the pore diameter of 100 nm and the length of 550 nm. Photocatalytic degradation of EE2 and inactivation of E. coli were enhanced effectively in an analogical trend using Ag/TiO 2 NAs. In particular, Ag/TiO 2 NAs exhibited the antimicrobial activity even in the absence of light. The Ag acted as a disinfection agent as well as the dopant of the modified TiO 2 NAs photocatalysis by forming a Schottky barrier on the surface of TiO 2 NAs. Inorganic ions suppressed the rates of photocatalytic degradation of EE2, with HCO 3 −having a more pronounced effect than NO 3 −or SO 4 2− . Humic acid (HA) was found to increase the rate of EE2 degradation.