INFLUENCE OF Nb2O5 AND B2O3 ON THE PHOTOCATALYTIC AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF SOL-GEL DERIVED TiO2 NANOPОWDERS

Abstract

TiO2 based powders containing B2O3 and Nb2O5 were obtained through an aqueous sol-gel method. The as prepared gels were step wisely heated in the temperature range 200°C - 500°C and subsequently characterized by XRD, IR and UV-Vis analysis. The TiO2 (anatase) is the single crystalline phase which has been detected up to 500°C. Photocatalytic tests showed that the investigated samples possess photocatalytic activity toward Malachite green organic dye and TiO2/Nb2O5 exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than TiO2/B2O3 sample. The compositions exhibited good antimicrobial activity against E. coli NBIMCC K12 407 and Bacillus subtilis NBIMCC 3562.