Band gap narrowing of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocrystals by electrochemically active biofilms and their visible light activity

Nanoscale. 2013 Jul 21;5(14):6323-6. doi: 10.1039/c3nr01280h. Epub 2013 Jun 11.

Abstract

We report a simple biogenic-route to narrow the band gap of TiO2 nanocrystals for visible light application by offering a greener method. When an electrochemically active biofilm (EAB) was challenged with a solution of Degussa-TiO2 using sodium acetate as the electron donor, greyish blue-colored TiO2 nanocrystals were obtained. A band gap study showed that the band gap of the modified TiO2 nanocrystals was significantly reduced (E(g) = 2.85 eV) compared to the unmodified white Degussa TiO2 (E(g) = 3.10 eV).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bioelectric Energy Sources
  • Catalysis
  • Cerium / chemistry
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Light*
  • Methylene Blue / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nitrophenols / chemistry
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Nitrophenols
  • titanium dioxide
  • Cerium
  • ceric oxide
  • Titanium
  • Methylene Blue
  • 4-nitrophenol