High-performance TiO2 from Baker’s yeast

Based on the biomineralization assembly concept, a biomimetic approach has been developed to synthesize high-performance mesoporous TiO2. The key step of this approach is to apply Baker’s yeast cells as biotemplates for deriving the hierarchically ordered mesoporous anatase structure. The mechanism of formation of the yeast–TiO2 is revealed by characterizing its morphology, microstructure, and chemical composition. The yeast–TiO2 exhibits outstanding photocatalytic performance. Under visible-light irradiation, the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color of the paper industry wastewater has reached 80.3% and nearly 100%, respectively. The approach may open new vistas for fabricating advanced mesoporous materials under ambient condition.

AFM image shows the surface structure of yeast–TiO2. The surface displays an ordered hierarchical mesoporous structure. The yeast–TiO2 exhibits highly decolourazing efficiency for paper industrial waste water.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (119 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► A novel approach has been developed to synthesize high-performance mesoporous yeast–TiO2.
► The mechanism of formation of the yeast–TiO2 is revealed.
► The yeast–TiO2 exhibits outstanding photocatalytic performance.
► The approach may open new vistas for fabricating advanced mesoporous materials.