Synthesis and Characterization of TiO₂ Nanotubes (TiO₂-NTs) Decorated with Platine Nanoparticles (Pt-NPs): Photocatalytic Performance for Simultaneous Removal of Microorganisms and Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract

This work reports on the effect of TiO2 nanotubes (TiO2-NTs), decorated wih platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs), on the removal of bacteria and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Pt-NPs were loaded onto the TiO2-NTs using the electrodeposition method at four decoration times (100, 200, 300, and 600 s). The realized Pt-NPs/TiO2-NTs nanocomposites were used for the degradation of cyclohexane, a highly toxic and carcinogenic VOC pollutant in the chemical industry. The achieved Pt-NPs/TiO2-NTs nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis), and scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. To understand the photocatalytic and antibacterial behavior of the Pt-NPs/TiO2-NTs, simultaneous treatment of Escherichia coli and cyclohexane was conducted while varying the catalyst time decoration. We noticed a complete bacterial inactivation rate with 90% VOC removal within 60 min of visible light irradiation. Moreover, the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model correlated well with the experimental results of the photocatalytic treatment of indoor air.

Keywords

• Pt-NPs/TiO₂ nanotubes
• microorganism inactivation
• batch reactor
• indoor air treatment
• kinetic modeling