# Photocatalytic Antibacterial Performance of Glass Fibers Thin Film Coated with N-DopedSnO

Authors: Peerawas Kongsong; Lek Sikong; Sutham Niyomwas; Vishnu Rachpech
Journal: The Scientific World Journal
 (2014)

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## Abstract

Both N-doped and undoped thin films of 3SnO2/TiO2 composite were prepared, by sol-gel and dip-coating methods, and then calcined at 600°C for 2 hours. The films were characterized by FTIR, XRD, UV-Vis, SEM, and XPS, and their photocatalytic activities to degrade methylene blue in solution were determined, expecting these activities to correlate with the inactivation of bacteria, which was confirmed. The doped and undoped films were tested for activities against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella typhi (S. typhi), and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The effects of doping on these composite films included reduced energy band gap, high crystallinity of anatase phase, and small crystallite size as well as increased photocatalytic activity and water disinfection efficiency.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

The supply of safe drinking water is an issue of concern, particularly in developing countries. Although several initiatives have been successful in supplying safe drinking water to urban populations, the extent of these efforts still falls short of the required targets for sustainable development. In developing countries, water delivery systems are plagued by leakages, illegal connections, and vandalism, and precious water resources are mismanaged. In Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, nearly one billion people in rural areas have no access to sufficient clean water supplies [1]. Contaminated water commonly contains dangerous pathogens, and its consumption creates serious health effects and societal problems. In the past decade, many innovative disinfection technologies were developed and adopted as alternatives to chlorine and ozone associated disinfection processes, including germicide ultraviolet (UV) radiation and photocatalytic oxidation. The traditional disinfection approaches have potential risks, such as carcinogenic byproducts (DBPs). For the alternative technologies, diverse nanophotocatalysts such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), cadmium sulfide (CdS), and silver nanoparticles have been widely studied and are considered promising due to their unique properties including large specific area and high reactivity [2].TiO2 is the most commonly used semiconductor photocatalyst and the most studied of the various nanomaterials. Activated by UV-A irradiation, its photocatalytic properties have been utilized in various environmental applications to remove contaminants from both water and air. A wealth of information on TiO2 photocatalytic inactivation of bacteria has been acquired over the last 20 years. TiO2 can kill both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, although Gram-positive bacteria are able to form spores and therefore are less sensitive. The exact bactericidal mechanism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is not yet fully known, but the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 produces them, and they are extremely reactive killing or deactivating microorganisms on contact [3].There are many techniques to improve photoactivity such as control of phase morphology, crystallite size, and reducing band gap energy. Doping TiO2 with N and combining it with SnO2 could improve the photochemical activity [4, 5].The aim of this work was to investigate the water disinfection efficiency of N-doped and undoped 3SnO2/TiO2 composite films under UV radiation. The quantity of dopants in TiO2 films was varied. The N-doped and undoped 3SnO2/TiO2 composite films were formed as coatings on glass fibers, and the photocatalytic antibacterial effects of these films against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella typhi (S. typhi), and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were assessed. The fraction of viable bacteria that survived the treatment was determined with the spread plate technique. Furthermore, photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye in solution was also investigated, to correlate this activity with antibacterial activity.


## 2. Experimental

### 2.1. Materials and Methods

The TiO2 composite films were formed on glass fibers (E-type) with two coating layers. The specific surface area of the starting glass fiber materials is 2 m2 g−1 [6]. The first layer was 5SiO2/TiO2, and this film was prepared by adding titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP, 99.95%, Fluka Sigma-Aldrich) dropwise under vigorous stirring into a mixture solution containing ethanol (99.9%, Merck, Germany) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS, 98%, Fluka Sigma-Aldrich). The second coating layer was (optionally N-doped) 3SnO2/TiO2 composite. The N-doped 3SnO2/TiO2 was prepared by mixing 10 mL glacial acetic, 0.289 g ammonium carbonate, and 0.315 g Tin (IV) chloride pentahydrate. For the first coating layer the concentration of SiO2 was fixed at 5 mol%, while SnO2 doped in the second layer was fixed at 3 mol%. Nitrogen at 20 mol% was used for doping of the 3SnO2/TiO2 composite films, following Qin and coworkers [7]. The N-doped 3SnO2/TiO2 solutions were stirred at room temperature for 60 min, and then 2 M HCl was added into the solution to adjust its pH to about 3.5.The glass fibers were first kept at 500°C for 1 h in order to remove wax and then carefully cleaned with ethanol. A dip-coating apparatus was used to coat the fibers. The first coating with SiO2/TiO2 acted as a buffer layer on the glass fibers, and N-doped 3SnO2/TiO2 sol was coated on the buffer layer as the second coating. A dipping speed of 1.0 mm/s into the sols gave homogeneous coatings. The coating films were turned into gels by drying at 60°C for 30 min. Then coated fibers were heated to 600°C at a heating rate of 10°C/min and held for 2 h. The coated glass fibers were cleaned by immersion in an ultrasonic bath of distilled water for 15 min in order to remove excess TiO2 particles. The TiO2 composite film coated glass fibers were dried at 105°C for 24 h. The samples were tested immediately after they had cooled in a desiccator to ambient temperature.


### 2.2. Material Characterization

Surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). XPS spectra were recorded with an AXIS Ultra DLD (Kratos Analytical Ltd., UK). Phase composition was characterized with an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) (Phillips E’pert MPD, Cu-Kα). The crystallite sizes were estimated from XRD peaks using the Scherrer equation [8]:
(1)
D
=
0.9
λ
β
cos
⁡
θ
β
,
where D is crystallite size, λ is the wavelength of X-ray radiation (Cu-Kα = 0.15406 nm), β is the angle width at half maximum height, and θ
β in degrees is the half diffraction angle of the peak centroid. The FTIR transmittance spectra of the samples were also analyzed in order to confirm hydroxyl functional groups (TiO2–OH bonds) of the films. The band gap energies of TiO2 and TiO2 composites, in powder form, were measured by UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer with an integrating sphere attachment (Shimadzu ISR-3100 spectrophotometer) by using BaSO4 as reference. The onset absorbances were determined by the linear extrapolation of the steep part of the UV absorption toward the base line.


### 2.3. Photocatalytic Reaction Test

The photocatalytic activities of TiO2 and of N-doped 3SnO2/TiO2 thin films on glass fibers were tested by observing the degradation of methylene blue (MB). The MB solution (50 mL) had 1
×
10
-
5 M initial concentration, and 1 g [8] of undoped or doped TiO2 coated glass fibers were provided excitation from a 50 W UV-lamp (black light) in the 310–400 nm wavelength range, set at 32 cm distance from the samples. The photocatalytic reaction tests were done in a dark chamber, with various UV irradiation times up to 4 h. The remaining concentration of methylene blue was determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometer.


### 2.4. Photocatalytic Antibacterial Measurements

Gram-negative (E. coli and S.typhi) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria were obtained from the Microbiology Science Laboratory, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla. The bacteria were grown aerobically in 4 mL of trypticase soy broth, at 37°C for 24 h. Then the bacterial solution was diluted in saline solution (0.85% NaCl) until the count of bacteria per milliliter of solution was in the range of 30–300. These counts were estimated by colony counter. The number of viable bacteria in a treated solution is readily quantified by spread plate technique, in which the sample is appropriately diluted and transferred to an agar plate. The grown colonies are counted, and each colony represents an initial viable bacterium in the plate culture. It is known that the initial bacterial concentration is an important factor affecting apparent antibacterial efficiency [9]. The initial bacterial concentration was set to about 103 CFU/mL. A 50 mL aliquot of bacterial suspension was treated with a 40 g/L dose of coated glass fibers, with exposure to UV irradiation for various durations. Then, 1 mL of treated suspension was sampled and cultured on MacConkey agar plates (E. coli and S. typhi) or Nutrient agar plates (S. aureus), by incubation at 37°C for 24 h. After incubation, the colony counts were recorded as estimates of viable bacteria counts.To assess the antimicrobial mechanisms of the TiO2 composite film coatings on glass fibers, the test fibers were dipped in 103 CFU/mL bacterial solution. After incubation, bacteria attached to the coatings were fixed with 0.05% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer saline and dehydrated sequentially by water-alcohol solutions (50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% alcohol, used in this order) for 30 min in each solution. After dehydrating by a series of ethanol solutions, specimens were dried in a critical-point dryer. The samples were mounted on stubs and coated with gold. The cell wall characteristics were observed by SEM imaging.


## 2.1. Materials and Methods

The TiO2 composite films were formed on glass fibers (E-type) with two coating layers. The specific surface area of the starting glass fiber materials is 2 m2 g−1 [6]. The first layer was 5SiO2/TiO2, and this film was prepared by adding titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP, 99.95%, Fluka Sigma-Aldrich) dropwise under vigorous stirring into a mixture solution containing ethanol (99.9%, Merck, Germany) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS, 98%, Fluka Sigma-Aldrich). The second coating layer was (optionally N-doped) 3SnO2/TiO2 composite. The N-doped 3SnO2/TiO2 was prepared by mixing 10 mL glacial acetic, 0.289 g ammonium carbonate, and 0.315 g Tin (IV) chloride pentahydrate. For the first coating layer the concentration of SiO2 was fixed at 5 mol%, while SnO2 doped in the second layer was fixed at 3 mol%. Nitrogen at 20 mol% was used for doping of the 3SnO2/TiO2 composite films, following Qin and coworkers [7]. The N-doped 3SnO2/TiO2 solutions were stirred at room temperature for 60 min, and then 2 M HCl was added into the solution to adjust its pH to about 3.5.The glass fibers were first kept at 500°C for 1 h in order to remove wax and then carefully cleaned with ethanol. A dip-coating apparatus was used to coat the fibers. The first coating with SiO2/TiO2 acted as a buffer layer on the glass fibers, and N-doped 3SnO2/TiO2 sol was coated on the buffer layer as the second coating. A dipping speed of 1.0 mm/s into the sols gave homogeneous coatings. The coating films were turned into gels by drying at 60°C for 30 min. Then coated fibers were heated to 600°C at a heating rate of 10°C/min and held for 2 h. The coated glass fibers were cleaned by immersion in an ultrasonic bath of distilled water for 15 min in order to remove excess TiO2 particles. The TiO2 composite film coated glass fibers were dried at 105°C for 24 h. The samples were tested immediately after they had cooled in a desiccator to ambient temperature.


## 2.2. Material Characterization

Surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). XPS spectra were recorded with an AXIS Ultra DLD (Kratos Analytical Ltd., UK). Phase composition was characterized with an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) (Phillips E’pert MPD, Cu-Kα). The crystallite sizes were estimated from XRD peaks using the Scherrer equation [8]:
(1)
D
=
0.9
λ
β
cos
⁡
θ
β
,
where D is crystallite size, λ is the wavelength of X-ray radiation (Cu-Kα = 0.15406 nm), β is the angle width at half maximum height, and θ
β in degrees is the half diffraction angle of the peak centroid. The FTIR transmittance spectra of the samples were also analyzed in order to confirm hydroxyl functional groups (TiO2–OH bonds) of the films. The band gap energies of TiO2 and TiO2 composites, in powder form, were measured by UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer with an integrating sphere attachment (Shimadzu ISR-3100 spectrophotometer) by using BaSO4 as reference. The onset absorbances were determined by the linear extrapolation of the steep part of the UV absorption toward the base line.


## 2.3. Photocatalytic Reaction Test

The photocatalytic activities of TiO2 and of N-doped 3SnO2/TiO2 thin films on glass fibers were tested by observing the degradation of methylene blue (MB). The MB solution (50 mL) had 1
×
10
-
5 M initial concentration, and 1 g [8] of undoped or doped TiO2 coated glass fibers were provided excitation from a 50 W UV-lamp (black light) in the 310–400 nm wavelength range, set at 32 cm distance from the samples. The photocatalytic reaction tests were done in a dark chamber, with various UV irradiation times up to 4 h. The remaining concentration of methylene blue was determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometer.


## 2.4. Photocatalytic Antibacterial Measurements

Gram-negative (E. coli and S.typhi) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria were obtained from the Microbiology Science Laboratory, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla. The bacteria were grown aerobically in 4 mL of trypticase soy broth, at 37°C for 24 h. Then the bacterial solution was diluted in saline solution (0.85% NaCl) until the count of bacteria per milliliter of solution was in the range of 30–300. These counts were estimated by colony counter. The number of viable bacteria in a treated solution is readily quantified by spread plate technique, in which the sample is appropriately diluted and transferred to an agar plate. The grown colonies are counted, and each colony represents an initial viable bacterium in the plate culture. It is known that the initial bacterial concentration is an important factor affecting apparent antibacterial efficiency [9]. The initial bacterial concentration was set to about 103 CFU/mL. A 50 mL aliquot of bacterial suspension was treated with a 40 g/L dose of coated glass fibers, with exposure to UV irradiation for various durations. Then, 1 mL of treated suspension was sampled and cultured on MacConkey agar plates (E. coli and S. typhi) or Nutrient agar plates (S. aureus), by incubation at 37°C for 24 h. After incubation, the colony counts were recorded as estimates of viable bacteria counts.To assess the antimicrobial mechanisms of the TiO2 composite film coatings on glass fibers, the test fibers were dipped in 103 CFU/mL bacterial solution. After incubation, bacteria attached to the coatings were fixed with 0.05% glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer saline and dehydrated sequentially by water-alcohol solutions (50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% alcohol, used in this order) for 30 min in each solution. After dehydrating by a series of ethanol solutions, specimens were dried in a critical-point dryer. The samples were mounted on stubs and coated with gold. The cell wall characteristics were observed by SEM imaging.


## 3. Results and Discussion

### 3.1. XRD Results of TiO2 Thin Films

Figure1 shows the XRD patterns of the thin films, namely, undoped 3SnO2/TiO2 and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2, after calcination at 600°C for 2 h. By comparison with anatase and rutile ASTM cards (American Society for Testing and Materials, cards JCPDS 21–1272 and JCPDS 21–1276), the films included anatase phase, and the various types of thin films did not differ in these observations. During the high calcinations temperature, TiO2 had transformed from amorphous to anatase structure. The very broad diffraction peak at (1 0 1) plane (2θ = 25.3°) was due to the small crystallite size of TiO2. The crystallite sizes calculated from Scherrer’s equation are shown in Table 1. The calcined 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 composite film had the smallest 9.8 nm crystallites. Nitrogen doping seems to hinder phase transformation from amorphous to anatase phase, leading to a low degree of crystallinity, while 3SnO2/TiO2 had the highest degree of crystallinity (Figure 1). A tetragonal Bravais lattice type was evident, and the lattice constants were calculated from diffraction peaks (a = b = 0.37821 nm and c = 0.95402 nm for 3SnO2/TiO2, and a = b = 0.37852 nm and c = 0.96917 nm for 20N/3SnO2/TiO2). Compared with anatase TiO2 (a = b = 0.37852 nm and c = 0.95083 nm), the lattice parameters a and b of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 were almost unchanged while c had increased. Therefore, the doping had slightly distorted the crystal lattice structure, as expected [10]. Both crystallite size and degree of crystallinity are known to affect photocatalytic activity.Table 1
Effect of thin film type on its anatase crystallite size, energy band gap, and photocatalytic degradation of MB in 4 h.
Samples
Crystallite size (nm)
Energy band gap (eV)
% Degradation of MB in 4 h (%)
TiO2
17.2
3.20
71.9
3SnO2/TiO2
17.2
3.20
80.3
20N/3SnO2/TiO2
9.8
3.03
89.5Figure 1
XRD patterns of TiO2 thin films calcined at 600°C: (a) TiO2, (b) 3SnO2/TiO2, and (c) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2.


### 3.2. EDS Spectra and Morphology of Surface Thin Films

The EDS spectra taken from TiO2 and TiO2 composite films are presented in Figure 2. The elements Si, Al, Ca, and O were mainly in the glass fiber substrates, while Ti, N, and O elements were in the composite films from TiO2 and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2. The peak for Sn is not observed, presumably because of its low dosage in the composite films. The morphologies of the coated surfaces are illustrated in Figure 3, as observed by SEM. The nucleation of anatase phase was homogeneous, and the film surface was smooth. However, some excess TiO2 had remained randomly deposited on the coatings of glass fibers. Agglomeration of nanoparticles occurred in 3SnO2/TiO2 films, but not in 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 films. N-doping hindered anatase crystal growth, in agreement with the XRD spectra shown in Figure 1.Figure 2
EDS spectra for (a) uncoated glass, (b) TiO2, (c) 3SnO2/TiO2 coating, and (d) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 coating, all calcined at 600°C.SEM images of glass fibers, some coated and calcined at 600°C: (a) uncoated 1,500x, (b) uncoated 60,000x, (c) TiO2 1,500x, (d) TiO2 60,000x, (e) 3SnO2/TiO2 1,500x, (f) 3SnO2/TiO2 60,000x, (g) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 1,500x, and (h) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 60,000x.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)


### 3.3. FTIR Analysis

The photogenerated hydroxyl groups on titanium dioxide surface can be characterized using FTIR transmittance spectra especially the peaks at 3200–3600 cm−1 [11, 12]. Figure 4 shows the FTIR spectra of TiO2, 3SnO2/TiO2, and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 calcined at 600°C. The bands appearing at about 3400–3468 cm−1 in TiO2, 3SnO2/TiO2, and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 coatings correspond to stretching vibrations of OH groups linked with titanium atoms (Ti–OH). This confirms that photocatalytic reactions took place on the sample surfaces. The broad and strong peaks at 1630–1640 cm−1 are ascribed to the bending vibration of OH groups, of free or absorbed water [13, 14]. The peaks at 1403 cm−1 in the spectrum of the 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 sample are assigned to the vibrations of N–H bonds [15]. The peak at 600 cm−1 is ascribed to absorption bands of Ti–O and O–Ti–O, related to flexion vibration [16].Figure 4
FTIR spectra of (a) pure TiO2, (b) 3SnO2/TiO2, and (c) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 powders calcined at 600°C.


### 3.4. Energy Gap Measurement

The photon energy versus curve of pure TiO2, 3SnO2/TiO2, and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 are shown in Figure 5. The absorption edge energies were determined from the following relation:
(2)
E
g
=
1239.8
λ
,
where E
g (eV) is the band gap energy of the sample and λ (nm) is the onset wavelength of the spectrum. The dopants affected the UV-Vis spectra by inhibiting recombination of electron-hole pairs, especially in the case of N-doping. The band gap energy of N-doped TiO2 is shifted by 0.17 eV from the 3.20 eV of pure TiO2 (Table 1), and 3SnO2/TiO2 showed a smaller shift to 3.20 eV. These effects suggest a strategy for mediating photocatalysis through atomic-level doping of nanocatalysts. It can be seen that the absorption wavelength of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 photocatalyst is extended towards visible light (λ = 409.2 nm) relative to other varyingly doped samples [16] or pure TiO2. The nitrogen doping hinders the growth of anatase phase (Figure 1) or it can reduce the crystallite size of TiO2 composite films to be about 10 nm (Table 1), leading to a quantum confinement effect of nanocrystals and the highest photocatalytic activity.Figure 5
The photon energy versus (αhv)2 curve of representative pure TiO2, 3SnO2/TiO2, and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 samples calcined at 600°C.


### 3.5. XPS Analysis

Figure6 shows the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) spectra of TiO2 and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films. The Ti, O, N, and Sn elements were detected in 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films, in the respective percentages 7.25, 61.44, 1.35, and 2.39. The XPS peaks indicate that the codoped TiO2 powders contain Ti, Sn, O, and N elements, and the binding energies of Ti 2p, Sn 3d, O 1s, and N 1s are 458, 486, 531, and 399 eV, respectively. The Sn 3d peak in the spectrum of Sn-
TiO
2
-
x, shown in Figure 7, demonstrates tin on the surface of TiO2. The 485.1 eV binding energy of tin in Sn-
TiO
2
-
x is lower than the reference 486.6 eV energy reported for Sn 3d5/2-binding [17]. To assess the chemical state of N in 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films, a high-resolution XPS spectrum of N 1s was measured; see Figure 8. The N 1s binding energy peaks were broad and asymmetric, demonstrating at least two chemical states of N, with binding energies 397.0 and 399.6 eV. Each of these broad peaks was decomposed to three peaks, by curve fitting, indicating two different states of N. The main peak at 399.6 eV binding energy was attributed to the N–Ti–O environment, while the peaks at 397.0 eV were assigned to the substitutional nitrogen in the Ti–N structure [18].Figure 6
XPS spectra of (a) TiO2 and (b) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films, calcined at 600°C.Figure 7
XPS spectrum of Sn 3d on the surface of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin film, calcined at 600°C.Figure 8
XPS spectrum of N 1s on the surface of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin film, calcined at 600°C.


### 3.6. Photocatalytic Activity Test

The photocatalytic activities of TiO2 and the composite films were determined, by measuring degradation of methylene blue in solution (MB) with an initial concentration of 1
×
10
-
5 M, under UV for various irradiation times. Figure 9 shows the fraction of the MB remaining versus irradiation time, which equals current concentration relative to initial concentration, C
/
C
0. The 3SnO2/TiO2 had better photocatalytic activity than pure TiO2, possibly because photogenerated electrons can accumulate in SnO2 and photogenerated holes in TiO2, with a heterojunction formed at the SnO2-TiO2 interface. This would lower the recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers, giving higher quantum efficiency and better photocatalytic activity [19]. The N-doped 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films had the most photoactivity (Figure 10). According to prior research, factors influencing the photoactivity of TiO2 photocatalysts include crystalline phase, grain size, specific surface area, surface morphology, and surface state (surface OH
- radicals), and these factors are correlated [20, 21]. Doping TiO2 with N shifts its light absorption wavelength to the visible region, reduces crystallite size, and narrows its energy band gap (3.03 eV) [22]. A well-crystallized anatase phase facilitates transfer of photo-induced vacancies from bulk to surface, for degradation of organic composites, and effectively inhibits the recombination between photo-generated electrons and holes, giving excellent photocatalytic activity. As seen in Figure 1, the 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin film had the smallest crystallite size, estimated to be about 9.8 nm (Table 1). The reaction rate constant k determined is a direct quantitative indicator of photocatalytic activity (Table 2), and k was highest at 0.6 hr−1 for the 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 composite film, almost double that of pure TiO2.Table 2
A summary of numerical fits of first-order kinetics to the degradation of MB.
Samples
Rate equation
Rate constant (k) (hr−1)
R
2
TiO2
C
=
e
-
0.34
t
0.34
0.952
3SnO2/TiO2
C
=
e
-
0.43
t
0.43
0.975
20N/3SnO2/TiO2
C
=
e
-
0.60
t
0.60
0.974Figure 9
Photocatalytic degradation of MB in solution under UV excitation by various thin film coatings on glass fibers. The surface area of thin film available for reaction was held approximately constant, based on weight of glass fibers.Figure 10
Antibacterial effects of coated glass fibers againstS. typhi under UV irradiation.


### 3.7. Photocatalytic Disinfection against Bacteria

The photo-inactivation of bacteria, in distilled water containing the pathogen, was tested with UV excitation. The initial bacterial concentration was about 103 CFU/mL, and the results are shown in Figures 10–13. The survival rates of bacteria were estimated from CFU cultures that determine the number of viable cells. The survival curves in Figures 10–12 show the fraction surviving N
/
N
0, where N
0 is the initial and N the current viable count, at a given duration of irradiation. The 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 film had the highest bactericidal activity, better than either pure TiO2 or 3SnO2/TiO2 with similar UV excitation, and dramatically better than UV alone. In the presence of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2, S. typhi was almost completely inactivated within 10 min and completely killed within 15 min. In comparison with control fibers, TiO2, and 3SnO2/TiO2 thin films, S. typhi was killed 74%, 97%, and 99.5%, respectively, after 15 min UV irradiation (Figure 10). The results shown in Figure 11 for E. coli are qualitatively similar, with almost complete inactivation reached within 30 min and complete kill within 40 min in the best case, and the different film types had the same rank order as above. The rank order remained the same with S. aureus, which was completely killed within 60 min in the best case (Figure 12). Clearly the 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 film had the best antibacterial effects against each pathogen tested. The antibacterial activity of the prepared films correlates well with the photocatalytic activity, determined from degradation of methylene blue. The inactivation rate constant, k of control (uncoated glass fibers under UV irradiation), TiO2, 3SnO2/TiO2, and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 films determined from Figures 10–12 illustrated in Table 3, is a direct quantitative indicator of antibacterial activity. It is seen that the k value of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 film was higher than that of other samples due to its smaller crystallite size or larger surface area. The killing rate, k, was the highest at 0.450 min−1 for S. typhi disinfection compared to 0.128 and 0.082 min−1 for E. coli andS. aureus, respectively. Figure 13 shows the antibacterial efficiency of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 composite thin film under UV irradiation. This thin film has a stronger antibacterial effect on Gram-negative than Gram-positive bacteria, because Gram-positive bacteria have thick cell walls composed of multilayered peptidoglycan [23], and also E. coli has thicker cell walls than S. typhi. The bactericidal effect of TiO2 has been started from the damage of bacterial outer membranes after contact with reactive oxygen species (ROS), primarily hydroxyl radicals (OH∙), which leads to phospholipid peroxidation and ultimately cell death. It has also been suggested that nanomaterials that can physically attach to a cell could be bactericidal on such contact [24]. The photos in Figure 14 show bacterial cultures on agar plates, illustrative of viable counts after various treatment times with 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 under UV irradiation. The damage to cell walls of bacteria can be immediate on irradiation in the presence of TiO2 thin films, and is followed by further damage to the cell membranes [25]. SEM images of bacteria before and after treatment with 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films are shown in Figures 15(a), 15(b), and 15(c) and Figures 15(d), 15(e), and 15(f), respectively. The cell walls of untreated bacteria were normal, and the number of germs was high (Figures 15(a)–15(c)). After 15 min of UV irradiation the cell walls and cell membranes were damaged by contact with TiO2 composite films. The mechanism of this effect is that the photo-generated hydroxyl (OH∙) and super oxygen (O
2
-
∙) radicals react, as powerful oxidizing agents, with peptidoglycan (poly-N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid) of bacterialcell wall [26].Table 3
A summary of numerical fits of first-order kinetics to the inactivation of bacteria.
Bacteria
Samples
Rate Equation
Rate constant (k) (min−1)
R
2
S. typhi
Uncoated
N
=
e
-
0.050
t
0.050
0.883
TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.240
t
0.240
0.975
3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.350
t
0.350
0.990
20N/3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.450
t
0.450
0.960
E. coli
Uncoated
N
=
e
-
0.044
t
0.044
0.935
TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.086
t
0.086
0.986
3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.103
t
0.103
0.993
20N/3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.128
t
0.128
0.975
S. aureus
Uncoated
N
=
e
-
0.036
t
0.036
0.888
TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.058
t
0.058
0.940
3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.070
t
0.070
0.944
20N/3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.082
t
0.082
0.936Figure 11
Antibacterial effects of glass fibers with various coatings againstE. coli under UV irradiation.Figure 12
Antibacterial effects of glass fibers with various coatings againstS. aureus under UV irradiation.Figure 13
Antibacterial effects of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 coated glass fibers against S. typhi, E. coliand,S. aureus under UV irradiation.Figure 14
Growth of bacterial colonies on agar plates, after various treatment times. Glass fibers coated with 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 were used to treat S. typhi, E. coli, and S. aureus under UV irradiation, and the number of colonies corresponds to remaining viable count of bacteria.SEM images of bacteria observed on surface coated thin films: (a) untreated (S. typhi), (b) untreated (E. coli), (c) untreated (S. aureus), (d) irradiated for 15 min (S. typhi), (e) irradiated for 40 min (E. coli), and (f) irradiated for 60 min (S. aureus) of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 composite thin films.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)


## 3.1. XRD Results of TiO2 Thin Films

Figure1 shows the XRD patterns of the thin films, namely, undoped 3SnO2/TiO2 and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2, after calcination at 600°C for 2 h. By comparison with anatase and rutile ASTM cards (American Society for Testing and Materials, cards JCPDS 21–1272 and JCPDS 21–1276), the films included anatase phase, and the various types of thin films did not differ in these observations. During the high calcinations temperature, TiO2 had transformed from amorphous to anatase structure. The very broad diffraction peak at (1 0 1) plane (2θ = 25.3°) was due to the small crystallite size of TiO2. The crystallite sizes calculated from Scherrer’s equation are shown in Table 1. The calcined 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 composite film had the smallest 9.8 nm crystallites. Nitrogen doping seems to hinder phase transformation from amorphous to anatase phase, leading to a low degree of crystallinity, while 3SnO2/TiO2 had the highest degree of crystallinity (Figure 1). A tetragonal Bravais lattice type was evident, and the lattice constants were calculated from diffraction peaks (a = b = 0.37821 nm and c = 0.95402 nm for 3SnO2/TiO2, and a = b = 0.37852 nm and c = 0.96917 nm for 20N/3SnO2/TiO2). Compared with anatase TiO2 (a = b = 0.37852 nm and c = 0.95083 nm), the lattice parameters a and b of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 were almost unchanged while c had increased. Therefore, the doping had slightly distorted the crystal lattice structure, as expected [10]. Both crystallite size and degree of crystallinity are known to affect photocatalytic activity.Table 1
Effect of thin film type on its anatase crystallite size, energy band gap, and photocatalytic degradation of MB in 4 h.
Samples
Crystallite size (nm)
Energy band gap (eV)
% Degradation of MB in 4 h (%)
TiO2
17.2
3.20
71.9
3SnO2/TiO2
17.2
3.20
80.3
20N/3SnO2/TiO2
9.8
3.03
89.5Figure 1
XRD patterns of TiO2 thin films calcined at 600°C: (a) TiO2, (b) 3SnO2/TiO2, and (c) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2.


## 3.2. EDS Spectra and Morphology of Surface Thin Films

The EDS spectra taken from TiO2 and TiO2 composite films are presented in Figure 2. The elements Si, Al, Ca, and O were mainly in the glass fiber substrates, while Ti, N, and O elements were in the composite films from TiO2 and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2. The peak for Sn is not observed, presumably because of its low dosage in the composite films. The morphologies of the coated surfaces are illustrated in Figure 3, as observed by SEM. The nucleation of anatase phase was homogeneous, and the film surface was smooth. However, some excess TiO2 had remained randomly deposited on the coatings of glass fibers. Agglomeration of nanoparticles occurred in 3SnO2/TiO2 films, but not in 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 films. N-doping hindered anatase crystal growth, in agreement with the XRD spectra shown in Figure 1.Figure 2
EDS spectra for (a) uncoated glass, (b) TiO2, (c) 3SnO2/TiO2 coating, and (d) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 coating, all calcined at 600°C.SEM images of glass fibers, some coated and calcined at 600°C: (a) uncoated 1,500x, (b) uncoated 60,000x, (c) TiO2 1,500x, (d) TiO2 60,000x, (e) 3SnO2/TiO2 1,500x, (f) 3SnO2/TiO2 60,000x, (g) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 1,500x, and (h) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 60,000x.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)


## 3.3. FTIR Analysis

The photogenerated hydroxyl groups on titanium dioxide surface can be characterized using FTIR transmittance spectra especially the peaks at 3200–3600 cm−1 [11, 12]. Figure 4 shows the FTIR spectra of TiO2, 3SnO2/TiO2, and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 calcined at 600°C. The bands appearing at about 3400–3468 cm−1 in TiO2, 3SnO2/TiO2, and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 coatings correspond to stretching vibrations of OH groups linked with titanium atoms (Ti–OH). This confirms that photocatalytic reactions took place on the sample surfaces. The broad and strong peaks at 1630–1640 cm−1 are ascribed to the bending vibration of OH groups, of free or absorbed water [13, 14]. The peaks at 1403 cm−1 in the spectrum of the 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 sample are assigned to the vibrations of N–H bonds [15]. The peak at 600 cm−1 is ascribed to absorption bands of Ti–O and O–Ti–O, related to flexion vibration [16].Figure 4
FTIR spectra of (a) pure TiO2, (b) 3SnO2/TiO2, and (c) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 powders calcined at 600°C.


## 3.4. Energy Gap Measurement

The photon energy versus curve of pure TiO2, 3SnO2/TiO2, and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 are shown in Figure 5. The absorption edge energies were determined from the following relation:
(2)
E
g
=
1239.8
λ
,
where E
g (eV) is the band gap energy of the sample and λ (nm) is the onset wavelength of the spectrum. The dopants affected the UV-Vis spectra by inhibiting recombination of electron-hole pairs, especially in the case of N-doping. The band gap energy of N-doped TiO2 is shifted by 0.17 eV from the 3.20 eV of pure TiO2 (Table 1), and 3SnO2/TiO2 showed a smaller shift to 3.20 eV. These effects suggest a strategy for mediating photocatalysis through atomic-level doping of nanocatalysts. It can be seen that the absorption wavelength of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 photocatalyst is extended towards visible light (λ = 409.2 nm) relative to other varyingly doped samples [16] or pure TiO2. The nitrogen doping hinders the growth of anatase phase (Figure 1) or it can reduce the crystallite size of TiO2 composite films to be about 10 nm (Table 1), leading to a quantum confinement effect of nanocrystals and the highest photocatalytic activity.Figure 5
The photon energy versus (αhv)2 curve of representative pure TiO2, 3SnO2/TiO2, and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 samples calcined at 600°C.


## 3.5. XPS Analysis

Figure6 shows the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) spectra of TiO2 and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films. The Ti, O, N, and Sn elements were detected in 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films, in the respective percentages 7.25, 61.44, 1.35, and 2.39. The XPS peaks indicate that the codoped TiO2 powders contain Ti, Sn, O, and N elements, and the binding energies of Ti 2p, Sn 3d, O 1s, and N 1s are 458, 486, 531, and 399 eV, respectively. The Sn 3d peak in the spectrum of Sn-
TiO
2
-
x, shown in Figure 7, demonstrates tin on the surface of TiO2. The 485.1 eV binding energy of tin in Sn-
TiO
2
-
x is lower than the reference 486.6 eV energy reported for Sn 3d5/2-binding [17]. To assess the chemical state of N in 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films, a high-resolution XPS spectrum of N 1s was measured; see Figure 8. The N 1s binding energy peaks were broad and asymmetric, demonstrating at least two chemical states of N, with binding energies 397.0 and 399.6 eV. Each of these broad peaks was decomposed to three peaks, by curve fitting, indicating two different states of N. The main peak at 399.6 eV binding energy was attributed to the N–Ti–O environment, while the peaks at 397.0 eV were assigned to the substitutional nitrogen in the Ti–N structure [18].Figure 6
XPS spectra of (a) TiO2 and (b) 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films, calcined at 600°C.Figure 7
XPS spectrum of Sn 3d on the surface of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin film, calcined at 600°C.Figure 8
XPS spectrum of N 1s on the surface of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin film, calcined at 600°C.


## 3.6. Photocatalytic Activity Test

The photocatalytic activities of TiO2 and the composite films were determined, by measuring degradation of methylene blue in solution (MB) with an initial concentration of 1
×
10
-
5 M, under UV for various irradiation times. Figure 9 shows the fraction of the MB remaining versus irradiation time, which equals current concentration relative to initial concentration, C
/
C
0. The 3SnO2/TiO2 had better photocatalytic activity than pure TiO2, possibly because photogenerated electrons can accumulate in SnO2 and photogenerated holes in TiO2, with a heterojunction formed at the SnO2-TiO2 interface. This would lower the recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers, giving higher quantum efficiency and better photocatalytic activity [19]. The N-doped 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films had the most photoactivity (Figure 10). According to prior research, factors influencing the photoactivity of TiO2 photocatalysts include crystalline phase, grain size, specific surface area, surface morphology, and surface state (surface OH
- radicals), and these factors are correlated [20, 21]. Doping TiO2 with N shifts its light absorption wavelength to the visible region, reduces crystallite size, and narrows its energy band gap (3.03 eV) [22]. A well-crystallized anatase phase facilitates transfer of photo-induced vacancies from bulk to surface, for degradation of organic composites, and effectively inhibits the recombination between photo-generated electrons and holes, giving excellent photocatalytic activity. As seen in Figure 1, the 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin film had the smallest crystallite size, estimated to be about 9.8 nm (Table 1). The reaction rate constant k determined is a direct quantitative indicator of photocatalytic activity (Table 2), and k was highest at 0.6 hr−1 for the 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 composite film, almost double that of pure TiO2.Table 2
A summary of numerical fits of first-order kinetics to the degradation of MB.
Samples
Rate equation
Rate constant (k) (hr−1)
R
2
TiO2
C
=
e
-
0.34
t
0.34
0.952
3SnO2/TiO2
C
=
e
-
0.43
t
0.43
0.975
20N/3SnO2/TiO2
C
=
e
-
0.60
t
0.60
0.974Figure 9
Photocatalytic degradation of MB in solution under UV excitation by various thin film coatings on glass fibers. The surface area of thin film available for reaction was held approximately constant, based on weight of glass fibers.Figure 10
Antibacterial effects of coated glass fibers againstS. typhi under UV irradiation.


## 3.7. Photocatalytic Disinfection against Bacteria

The photo-inactivation of bacteria, in distilled water containing the pathogen, was tested with UV excitation. The initial bacterial concentration was about 103 CFU/mL, and the results are shown in Figures 10–13. The survival rates of bacteria were estimated from CFU cultures that determine the number of viable cells. The survival curves in Figures 10–12 show the fraction surviving N
/
N
0, where N
0 is the initial and N the current viable count, at a given duration of irradiation. The 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 film had the highest bactericidal activity, better than either pure TiO2 or 3SnO2/TiO2 with similar UV excitation, and dramatically better than UV alone. In the presence of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2, S. typhi was almost completely inactivated within 10 min and completely killed within 15 min. In comparison with control fibers, TiO2, and 3SnO2/TiO2 thin films, S. typhi was killed 74%, 97%, and 99.5%, respectively, after 15 min UV irradiation (Figure 10). The results shown in Figure 11 for E. coli are qualitatively similar, with almost complete inactivation reached within 30 min and complete kill within 40 min in the best case, and the different film types had the same rank order as above. The rank order remained the same with S. aureus, which was completely killed within 60 min in the best case (Figure 12). Clearly the 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 film had the best antibacterial effects against each pathogen tested. The antibacterial activity of the prepared films correlates well with the photocatalytic activity, determined from degradation of methylene blue. The inactivation rate constant, k of control (uncoated glass fibers under UV irradiation), TiO2, 3SnO2/TiO2, and 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 films determined from Figures 10–12 illustrated in Table 3, is a direct quantitative indicator of antibacterial activity. It is seen that the k value of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 film was higher than that of other samples due to its smaller crystallite size or larger surface area. The killing rate, k, was the highest at 0.450 min−1 for S. typhi disinfection compared to 0.128 and 0.082 min−1 for E. coli andS. aureus, respectively. Figure 13 shows the antibacterial efficiency of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 composite thin film under UV irradiation. This thin film has a stronger antibacterial effect on Gram-negative than Gram-positive bacteria, because Gram-positive bacteria have thick cell walls composed of multilayered peptidoglycan [23], and also E. coli has thicker cell walls than S. typhi. The bactericidal effect of TiO2 has been started from the damage of bacterial outer membranes after contact with reactive oxygen species (ROS), primarily hydroxyl radicals (OH∙), which leads to phospholipid peroxidation and ultimately cell death. It has also been suggested that nanomaterials that can physically attach to a cell could be bactericidal on such contact [24]. The photos in Figure 14 show bacterial cultures on agar plates, illustrative of viable counts after various treatment times with 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 under UV irradiation. The damage to cell walls of bacteria can be immediate on irradiation in the presence of TiO2 thin films, and is followed by further damage to the cell membranes [25]. SEM images of bacteria before and after treatment with 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 thin films are shown in Figures 15(a), 15(b), and 15(c) and Figures 15(d), 15(e), and 15(f), respectively. The cell walls of untreated bacteria were normal, and the number of germs was high (Figures 15(a)–15(c)). After 15 min of UV irradiation the cell walls and cell membranes were damaged by contact with TiO2 composite films. The mechanism of this effect is that the photo-generated hydroxyl (OH∙) and super oxygen (O
2
-
∙) radicals react, as powerful oxidizing agents, with peptidoglycan (poly-N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid) of bacterialcell wall [26].Table 3
A summary of numerical fits of first-order kinetics to the inactivation of bacteria.
Bacteria
Samples
Rate Equation
Rate constant (k) (min−1)
R
2
S. typhi
Uncoated
N
=
e
-
0.050
t
0.050
0.883
TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.240
t
0.240
0.975
3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.350
t
0.350
0.990
20N/3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.450
t
0.450
0.960
E. coli
Uncoated
N
=
e
-
0.044
t
0.044
0.935
TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.086
t
0.086
0.986
3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.103
t
0.103
0.993
20N/3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.128
t
0.128
0.975
S. aureus
Uncoated
N
=
e
-
0.036
t
0.036
0.888
TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.058
t
0.058
0.940
3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.070
t
0.070
0.944
20N/3SnO2/TiO2
N
=
e
-
0.082
t
0.082
0.936Figure 11
Antibacterial effects of glass fibers with various coatings againstE. coli under UV irradiation.Figure 12
Antibacterial effects of glass fibers with various coatings againstS. aureus under UV irradiation.Figure 13
Antibacterial effects of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 coated glass fibers against S. typhi, E. coliand,S. aureus under UV irradiation.Figure 14
Growth of bacterial colonies on agar plates, after various treatment times. Glass fibers coated with 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 were used to treat S. typhi, E. coli, and S. aureus under UV irradiation, and the number of colonies corresponds to remaining viable count of bacteria.SEM images of bacteria observed on surface coated thin films: (a) untreated (S. typhi), (b) untreated (E. coli), (c) untreated (S. aureus), (d) irradiated for 15 min (S. typhi), (e) irradiated for 40 min (E. coli), and (f) irradiated for 60 min (S. aureus) of 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 composite thin films.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)


## 4. Conclusion

N-doped and undoped 3SnO2/TiO2 composite films were prepared as coatings on glass fibers, by sol-gel and dip-coating methods. The films were heated to 600°C at a rate of 10°C/min and held for 2 h, in order to form anatase phase. The 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 composite film had comparatively narrow band gap energy, high crystallinity of anatase phase, and small crystallite size as well as the highest photocatalytic activity of the films prepared. Its antibacterial activity under UV irradiation was superior to undoped TiO2 films, correlating well with photocatalytic activity determined from MB degradation. Antibacterial activity was experimentally established against selected bacteria of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative types, with stronger antibacterial effects against Gram-negative type. The synthesized 20N/3SnO2/TiO2 film coated on glass fibers is antibacterial photocatalyst that will be suitable for water purification.



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*Source: 869706-2014-02-12.xml*