Photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities of fluorine doped TiO2-carbon nano cones and disc composites

Carbon nano cone and disc-fluorine-co-doped-titanium dioxide nanocomposites were synthesized by the solid state method. The physical and chemical properties of the prepared nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and field emission-scanning electron microscopic (FE-SEM) techniques. In addition, a detailed study of antimicrobial activity and photocatalytic activity of the prepared nanoparticles were tested for its efficiency. Carbon cone and disc-doping into TiO2 showed not only the improvement in UV light absorption, but also in the creation of surface oxygen vacancies. Fluorine-doping produced several beneficial effects, including the formation of surface oxygen vacancies and the enhancement of Ti3+ ions. XRD analysis showed the formation of TiO2 anatase phase in all cases. FE-SEM image, Fig. 3d revealed irregular shapes of carbon cone and disc. The photocatalytic tests indicated that the carbon cone and disc-fluorine-co-doped TiO2 nanocubes have high UV light activity in degradation of methyl orange, which could be attributed to the creation of oxygen vacancies, increase the concentration of
• OH radicals in the solution, which is beneficial for improving the photodegradation rate of organic compounds. The carbon cone and disc-fluorine-TiO2 nanocomposites act as a strong antibacterial agent.