Effect of Sm³⁺ activation on the optical properties and antibacterial activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles

This work presents the effect of functionalization with Sm³⁺on the structural, morphological, optical properties and antibacterial activity of TiO₂ nanoparticules (NPs). Photoluminescence spectroscopy was used to study the recombination, and transfer dynamics of photoexcited electron-hole pairs within the semiconductors and their effect on the antibacterial activity of Sm³⁺ activated TiO₂. A potential enhancement to reach 95% of the antibacterial activity efficiency of TiO₂ NPs was revealed after activation with Sm³⁺ (1%) against a spectrum of bacteria under sun light irradiation. A correlation between the optical properties of TiO₂-Sm nanoparticles and their antibacterial activity is presented. The proposed mechanism in the antibacterial process was discussed as a function of illumination conditions and their effect on the interaction between pathogenic organisms and TiO₂-Sm NPs in relation to morphological properties. This investigation shows a potential application of TiO₂- Sm³⁺ in the control of bacterial pathogens.