Photocatalytic sterilization of TiO2 films coated on Al fiber

Photocatalytic TiO2 films were coated on Al fiber by sol–gel dip-coating method, and then annealed. The crystal structure and morphology of the films were performed by XRD, TEM and SEM. Photocatalytic sterilization of the films was investigated in O2 atmosphere through purifying the aqueous solution with facultative aerobe (Bacillus cereus), aerobe (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and anaerobe (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli). In the presence of O2, it benefits to generate O2− and OH at the first stage of the photocatalytic reaction, while the excess O2 restrains the anaerobe from reproducing and accelerates the reproducing for the aerobe at the second stage of reaction. As a result, it was found that the crystal of TiO2 films is anatase phase and the films have excellent sterilization effect against facultative aerobe and anaerobe. Nevertheless, it only decreased the bioactivity against aerobe in a short time.