Abstract

Clean water is one of the most challenging issues facing humanity today resulting in widespread research on new water purification and disinfection techniques emphasizing on optimized energy consumption. Nanotechnology has significantly contributed to the lowering the cost of eco-friendly water disinfecting processes. Among many materials in this study TiO2 nanotubes with 90-100 nm pore diameter were synthesized using anodization method in an organic electrolyte containing fluoride ions. Deposition of Silver (Ag) on the large-surface TiO2 nanotubes showed significant antibacterial activity. To improve the uniformity of silver deposition a reductive doping was performed to increase the conductivity of the TiO2 nanotubes. Silver deposition was performed in a three-electrode electrodeposition cell using a cyanide-based silver electrolyte. Characterization of the films using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the deposition of Ag onto the TiO2 porous layer. Liquid medium test under light illumination followed by serial dilutions resulted in perfect photo biocide efficiency of the immobilized Ag/TiO2 against E. Coli which is an emerging cause of food borne and waterborne illnesses.