Magnetic Ni-Doped TiO2 Photocatalysts for Disinfection of Escherichia coli Bacteria

• Published in: Journal of electronic materials Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 1942 - 1948
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Khang Cao, Nguyen, Nghia Manh, Duong, Van Quoc, Van Nguyen, Khanh, Nguyen, Hung Manh, Dao, Thang Viet, Van Nguyen, Quang, Nguyen, Duc Anh, Vu, Ha Thi, Dang, Chien Tran, Phan, Hong Ngoc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.04.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Absorption; Anatase; Brief Communication; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coliforms; Crystallization; Density functional theory; Doping; E coli; Electronics and Microelectronics; Instrumentation; Magnetic properties; Materials Science; Nanoparticles; Nickel; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Particle size; Phase composition; Photocatalysis; Raman spectroscopy; Sol-gel processes; Solid State Physics; Titanium dioxide; TiO; Ni-doped; photocatalytic
• ISSN: 0361-5235; 1543-186X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11664-020-08699-2

Ni-doped TiO 2 nanoparticles have been synthesized by a modified sol–gel method. The crystal phase composition, particle size, and magnetic and optical properties of the samples were comprehensively examined using x-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, Raman spectroscopy, magnetization measurements, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption techniques. The results showed that the prepared Ni-doped TiO 2 samples sintered at 400°C crystallized completely in anatase phase with average particle size in the range from 8 nm to 10 nm and presented broad visible absorption. The bactericidal efficiency of TiO 2 was effectively enhanced by Ni doping, with an optimum Ni doping concentration of 6% ( x  = 0.06), at which 95% of Escherichia coli were killed after just 90 min of irradiation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed good agreement with the experimental data. Moreover, the Ni dopant induced magnetic properties in TiO 2 , facilitating its retrieval using a magnetic field after use, which is an important feature for photocatalytic applications.