Cell Damage Induced by Photocatalysis of TiO2 Thin Films

Zhe Xue Lu, Lei Zhou, Zhi Ling Zhang, Wan Liang Shi, Zhi Xiong Xie, Hai Yan Xie, Dai Wen Pang, Ping Shen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

176 Scopus citations

Abstract

When illuminated by near-UV light, titanium dioxide (TiO2) exhibits excellent bactericidal activity. However, there exist some different mechanisms for cell killing via photocatalysis. In the present study, the photocatalytically bactericidal mechanism of TiO2 thin films was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in conjugation with some other techniques. The decomposition process of the cell wall and the cell membrane was directly observed by AFM for the first time. The resultant change in cell permeability was confirmed by potassium ion (K+) leakage. Quantum dots (QDs) were designed originally as a probe to examine the cell permeability for macromolecules. The corresponding bactericidal activity of TiO2 thin films was examined by cell viability assay. These results suggested that the cell death was caused by the decomposition of the cell wall and the cell membrane and the resultant leakage of intracellular molecules.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8765-8768
Number of pages4
JournalLangmuir
Volume19
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 14 2003
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Spectroscopy
  • Electrochemistry

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