Full metadata record
DC FieldValueLanguage
dc.contributorDepartment of Applied Physicsen_US
dc.creatorCheung, Sing-wai-
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/1379-
dc.languageEnglishen_US
dc.publisherHong Kong Polytechnic University-
dc.rightsAll rights reserveden_US
dc.titleSilver-loaded titania nanocomposite for antimicrobial applicationen_US
dcterms.abstractTitanium dioxide, also known as Titania (TiO2), is an important photocatalytic material that is becoming more and more widely used in our daily life. The photo-generated electrons and holes in TiO2 induce redox reactions with the surface adsorbed water and oxygen to produce hydroxyl radicals and atomic oxygen, which are very oxidative to degrade organic materials (pollutants, or even microorganisms). The drawback of TiO2 is that ultraviolet (UV) light is required to generate the electron-hole pairs needed for the photocatalytic reaction. One strategy to achieve the visible light activity is to dope TiO2 with various elements. Silver (Ag) is another type of inorganic antimicrobial material widely used in food, polymer, and textile, etc. It does not require any UV light illumination. The drawback of Ag is that Ag nanoparticles can easily change color either by oxidation into AgO with a brown appearance or by agglomeration into larger Ag particles with a black color. Besides, Ag is also an expensive material. Low concentration of Ag is ineffective for real applications while higher concentration greatly increases the cost. In order to take the advantages of both materials and to minimize their respective shortcomings, we have synthesized Ag@TiO2 nanocomposties by forming Ag nanoparticles onto the surface of nano-sized TiO2 particles with various dopants. In this project, nanocomposites of Ag@TiO2 doped with nitrogen or europium were synthesized by hydrothermal and/or sol-hydrolysis method. A low temperature synthesis route was developed. The effects on the decomposition of organic dye (methyl orange), the anatase-rutile phase transformation temperature and the antimicrobial activity for materials synthesized from different routes were studied systematically and were compared with that of the commercial P25 powders. Our results show that, doping of nitrogen or europium enhances the photocatalytic activity of the material under either UV or visible light irradiation. Coating Ag nanoparticles on the surface of TiO2 also enhances the photocatalytic activity under illumination. As expected, the Ag@TiO2 composite shows antimicrobial activity under both illuminated and dark conditions. Based on our results, the Ag@TiO2 nanocomposites are regarded to have potential applications as self cleaning and antimicrobial agents. For application purpose, TiO2 nanocomposites were coated on cotton fibers to make a new type of functional textile. Due to the addition of some surfactants and the small size of the nanocomposite, the nanoparticles can bind to the cotton fiber tightly. As a consequence of the high surface to volume ratio of the nanocomposites, the cotton fiber showed self cleaning and antimicrobial properties even a small amount of the nanocomposites was used.en_US
dcterms.extentxii, 89 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.en_US
dcterms.isPartOfPolyU Electronic Thesesen_US
dcterms.issued2007en_US
dcterms.educationalLevelAll Masteren_US
dcterms.educationalLevelM.Phil.en_US
dcterms.LCSHHong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations.en_US
dcterms.LCSHTitanium dioxide.en_US
dcterms.LCSHSilver.en_US
dcterms.LCSHMetallic composites.en_US
dcterms.LCSHNanostructured materials.en_US
dcterms.accessRightsopen accessen_US

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
b21657300.pdfFor All Users7.77 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Copyright Undertaking

As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:

  1. I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
  2. I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
  3. I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.

By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.

Show simple item record

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/1379