Recent Progress in Visible-Light Active (VLA) TiO2 Nano-Structures for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity (PCA) and Antibacterial Properties: A Review

Authors

• Kasun L Seneviratne ¹
• Imalka Munaweera * ^{2, 3}
• Sriyani E Peiris ¹
• Nilwala Kottegoda ^{2, 4}

1. Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), New Kandy Road, Malabe, Sri Lanka
2. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
3. Instrument Center, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
4. Center for Advanced Materials Research (CAMR), Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The applications of photocatalytic nanomaterial technology received intense scientific focus with the advent of nanotechnology. Applications based on TiO₂ nanoparticles have shown promise of photocatalytic efficiency among many semiconductor metal oxides. Titanium dioxide is utilized in many practical applications such as water and air purification, self-cleaning of surfaces, and energy production. The major drawback with TiO₂ based photocatalysts is the wide band gap, which requires UV light to produce the electron-hole pairs. This review article focus on techniques/methods to eliminate band gap which reduces photocatalytic efficiency. Application of semiconductor photocatalytic techniques to degrade organic pollutants and their antimicrobial activity is discussed here using model systems. Synthetic and natural nanohybrids are available today and have varying characteristics as options. Recently developed natural mineral based nanohybrids is the new trend in photocatalytic applications. It appears that the removal efficiency of existed photocatalysts is higher than that of synthetic products. Natural nanohybrids carry the advantages of low costs, avoiding extensive synthesizing conditions in future photocatalytic applications.

Keywords

• Antibacterial activity
• Metal doped TiO2
• Natural and synthetic based TiO2 nanohybrids
• Semiconductor nanomaterial
• Visible active photocatalyst.