Design of TiO<sub>2</sub>-Based Hybrid Systems with Multifunctional Properties

In recent years, multifunctional inorganic−organic hybrid materials have been widely investigated in order to determine their potential synergetic, antagonist, or independent effects in terms of reactivity. The aim of this study was to design and characterize a new hybrid material by coupling well-k...

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Main Authors: Simona Ortelli, Maurizio Vespignani, Ilaria Zanoni, Magda Blosi, Claudia Vineis, Andreana Piancastelli, Giovanni Baldi, Valentina Dami, Stefania Albonetti, Anna Luisa Costa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-02-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/4/1863
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author Simona Ortelli
Maurizio Vespignani
Ilaria Zanoni
Magda Blosi
Claudia Vineis
Andreana Piancastelli
Giovanni Baldi
Valentina Dami
Stefania Albonetti
Anna Luisa Costa
author_facet Simona Ortelli
Maurizio Vespignani
Ilaria Zanoni
Magda Blosi
Claudia Vineis
Andreana Piancastelli
Giovanni Baldi
Valentina Dami
Stefania Albonetti
Anna Luisa Costa
author_sort Simona Ortelli
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, multifunctional inorganic−organic hybrid materials have been widely investigated in order to determine their potential synergetic, antagonist, or independent effects in terms of reactivity. The aim of this study was to design and characterize a new hybrid material by coupling well-known photocatalytic TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles with sodium surfactin (SS), a biosurfactant showing high binding affinity for metal cations as well as the ability to interact with and disrupt microorganisms’ cell membranes. We used both chemical and colloidal synthesis methodologies and investigated how different TiO<sub>2</sub>:SS weight ratios affected colloidal, physicochemical, and functional properties. We discovered a clear breaking point between TiO<sub>2</sub> and SS single-component trends and identified different ranges of applicability by considering different functional properties such as photocatalytic, heavy metal sorption capacity, and antibacterial properties. At low SS contents, the photocatalytic properties of TiO<sub>2</sub> are preserved (conversion of organic dye = 99% after 40 min), and the hybrid system can be used in advanced oxidation processes, taking advantage of the additional antimicrobial SS properties. At high SS contents, the TiO<sub>2</sub> photoactivity is inhibited, and the hybrid can be usefully exploited as a UV blocker in cosmetics, avoiding undesired oxidative effects (UV adsorption in the range between 300–400 nm). Around the breaking point (TiO<sub>2</sub>:SS 1:1), the hybrid material preserves the high surface area of TiO<sub>2</sub> (specific surface area around 180 m<sup>2</sup>/g) and demonstrates NOx depletion of up to 100% in 80 min, together with improved adhesion of hybrid antibacterial coating. The last design demonstrated the best results for the concurrent removal of inorganic, organic, and biological pollutants in water/soil remediation applications.
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spelling doaj-art-bcbb465f4adc43efafd98cda3b16160f2024-11-19T12:52:29ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492023-02-01284186310.3390/molecules28041863Design of TiO<sub>2</sub>-Based Hybrid Systems with Multifunctional PropertiesSimona Ortelli0Maurizio Vespignani1Ilaria Zanoni2Magda Blosi3Claudia Vineis4Andreana Piancastelli5Giovanni Baldi6Valentina Dami7Stefania Albonetti8Anna Luisa Costa9CNR-ISSMC (Former ISTEC), National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics, Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, ItalyCNR-ISSMC (Former ISTEC), National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics, Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, ItalyCNR-ISSMC (Former ISTEC), National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics, Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, ItalyCNR-ISSMC (Former ISTEC), National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics, Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, ItalyCNR-STIIMA, Institute of Intelligent Industrial Technologies and Systems for Advanced Manufacturing–Italian National Research Council, Corso Pella 16, 13900 Biella, ItalyCNR-ISSMC (Former ISTEC), National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics, Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, ItalyCe.Ri.Col, Colorobbia Consulting S.R.L., 50059 Sovigliana-Vinci, ItalyCe.Ri.Col, Colorobbia Consulting S.R.L., 50059 Sovigliana-Vinci, ItalyCNR-ISSMC (Former ISTEC), National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics, Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, ItalyCNR-ISSMC (Former ISTEC), National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics, Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza, ItalyIn recent years, multifunctional inorganic−organic hybrid materials have been widely investigated in order to determine their potential synergetic, antagonist, or independent effects in terms of reactivity. The aim of this study was to design and characterize a new hybrid material by coupling well-known photocatalytic TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles with sodium surfactin (SS), a biosurfactant showing high binding affinity for metal cations as well as the ability to interact with and disrupt microorganisms’ cell membranes. We used both chemical and colloidal synthesis methodologies and investigated how different TiO<sub>2</sub>:SS weight ratios affected colloidal, physicochemical, and functional properties. We discovered a clear breaking point between TiO<sub>2</sub> and SS single-component trends and identified different ranges of applicability by considering different functional properties such as photocatalytic, heavy metal sorption capacity, and antibacterial properties. At low SS contents, the photocatalytic properties of TiO<sub>2</sub> are preserved (conversion of organic dye = 99% after 40 min), and the hybrid system can be used in advanced oxidation processes, taking advantage of the additional antimicrobial SS properties. At high SS contents, the TiO<sub>2</sub> photoactivity is inhibited, and the hybrid can be usefully exploited as a UV blocker in cosmetics, avoiding undesired oxidative effects (UV adsorption in the range between 300–400 nm). Around the breaking point (TiO<sub>2</sub>:SS 1:1), the hybrid material preserves the high surface area of TiO<sub>2</sub> (specific surface area around 180 m<sup>2</sup>/g) and demonstrates NOx depletion of up to 100% in 80 min, together with improved adhesion of hybrid antibacterial coating. The last design demonstrated the best results for the concurrent removal of inorganic, organic, and biological pollutants in water/soil remediation applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/4/1863hybrid systemnano-TiO<sub>2</sub>sodium surfactinphotocatalystsorption capacityantibacterial coating
spellingShingle Simona Ortelli
Maurizio Vespignani
Ilaria Zanoni
Magda Blosi
Claudia Vineis
Andreana Piancastelli
Giovanni Baldi
Valentina Dami
Stefania Albonetti
Anna Luisa Costa
Design of TiO<sub>2</sub>-Based Hybrid Systems with Multifunctional Properties
Molecules
hybrid system
nano-TiO<sub>2</sub>
sodium surfactin
photocatalyst
sorption capacity
antibacterial coating
title Design of TiO<sub>2</sub>-Based Hybrid Systems with Multifunctional Properties
title_full Design of TiO<sub>2</sub>-Based Hybrid Systems with Multifunctional Properties
title_fullStr Design of TiO<sub>2</sub>-Based Hybrid Systems with Multifunctional Properties
title_full_unstemmed Design of TiO<sub>2</sub>-Based Hybrid Systems with Multifunctional Properties
title_short Design of TiO<sub>2</sub>-Based Hybrid Systems with Multifunctional Properties
title_sort design of tio sub 2 sub based hybrid systems with multifunctional properties
topic hybrid system
nano-TiO<sub>2</sub>
sodium surfactin
photocatalyst
sorption capacity
antibacterial coating
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/4/1863
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