Investigation on the structure and antibacterial performance of Ni-doped Ti1-XNiXO2 nanotubes

Developing high-performance, low-cost, nontoxic antibacterial materials and equipment to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses has become one of the most important research areas for scientists. Among all the developed antibacterial materials, TiO2 shows great potential and typically exhibits antibacterial properties through the ultraviolet light induced electron-hole pairs. Building upon this working principle, Ni-doped anatase Ti1-XNiXO2 nanotubes were designed. The doped Ni occupies the position of Ti4+ and forms a negative electron center. This negative electron center, along with the neighboring Ti4+ ions, plays a similar role to that of UV-light-induced electron-hole pairs. The nanotube structure was confirmed by using techniques such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Antibacterial performance tests showed that the Ni-doped Ti1-XNiXO2 nanotubes could inhibit the propagation of E. coli in culture media and a dark environment. Among all the designed materials, Ti0.95Ni0.05O2 showed the best antibacterial performance. Ti0.95Ni0.05O2 nanotubes were cold-sprayed on porous Ti foam tube and loaded on equipment, effectively preventing the spread of E. coli through gas flow. Ti1-XNiXO2 nanotubes show great potential as high-performance antibacterial materials and equipment through surface electron modulation. Surface electron modulation represents a novel strategy for designing high-performance antibacterial materials.