Visible-Light Photocatalytic Antimicrobial Textile
topic
Visible-light-active photocatalytic textiles use modified TiO₂ (N-doped, bandgap 2.4–2.8 eV), g-C₃N₄ (bandgap 2.7 eV), or Ag/TiO₂ composites to extend photocatalytic antimicrobial activity to 400–700 nm solar and indoor visible light. N-doped TiO₂ (TiO₂₋ₓNₓ, nitrogen content 0.5–2.0 at%) applied at 2–5 g/m² achieves 3–5 log bacterial reduction under simulated solar irradiation (AM1.5, 100 mW/cm²) within 30–60 min. Indoor fluorescent light (500 lux) activation achieves 2–3 log reduction in 120–240 min, enabling continuous antimicrobial activity in windowless hospital rooms. Ag deposition (0.1–0.5 wt%) via photoreduction creates plasmonic enhancement of visible light absorption. Wash durability of 25–40 cycles maintained with sol-gel binder systems.
Role
Extends photocatalytic antimicrobial textile functionality to indoor hospital environments where UV light is absent, enabling passive continuous disinfection of healthcare textiles under standard fluorescent or LED room lighting conditions.