Photooxidation and Virus Inactivation using TiO2(P25)-SiO2 Coated PET Film

This study chemically modified PET film surface with P25 using silicate as a binder. Different P25-binder ratios were optimized for the catalyst performance. The modified samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectra revealed significant reductions in the band gaps of the P25 solid precursor (3.20 eV) and the surface-modified PET-1.0Si-P25 (2.77 eV) with visible light. Accordingly, under visible light conditions, catalyst activity on the film will occur. Additionally, the film's performance was evaluated using methylene blue (MB) degradation. Pseudo-first-order-rate constants (min(-)(1)), conversion percentages, and rates (mu g.mL(-)(1).g(cat)(-)(1).h(-)(1)) were determined. The coated films were evaluated for viral Phi-X 174 inactivation and tested with fluorescence and UV-C light illumination, then log (N/N-0) versus t plots (N = [virus] in plaque-forming units [PFUs]/mL) were obtained. The presence of nanosilica in PET showed a high adsorption ability in both MB and Phi-X 174, whereas the best performances with fluorescent light were obtained from PET-1.0Si-P25 and PET-P25-1.0Si-SiO2 equally. A 0.2-log virus reduction was obtained after 3 h at a rate of 4x10(6) PFU.mL(-)(1).g(cat)(-)(1).min(-)(1). Additionally, the use of this film for preventing transmission by direct contact with surfaces and via indoor air was considered. Using UV light, the PET-1.0Si-P25 and PET-1.0Si-P25-SiO2 samples produced a 2.5-log inactivation after 6.5 min at a rate of 9.6x10(6) and 8.9x10(6) PFU.mL(-)(1).g(cat)(-)(1).min(-)(1), respectively. Copyright (c) 2022 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).