Ag−TiO₂ Nanoparticle Codoped SiO₂ Films on ZrO₂ Barrier-Coated Glass Substrates with Antibacterial Activity in Ambient Condition

Anatase TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles (NPs) codoped SiO2 films were prepared by the sol-gel method. Proportionate amounts of 3-(glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GLYMO), tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-(methacryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (MEMO) derived inorganic-organic silica sol, commercially available dispersed anatase TiO2 NPs, and AgNO3 were used to prepare the sols. The films were prepared on ZrO2 (cubic) precoated soda-lime glass substrates by a single-dipping technique and heat-treated at 450 °C in air and H2/Ar atmosphere to obtain hard, relatively porous, and transparent coatings of thickness>600 nm. The ZrO2 barrier layer was previously applied on soda-lime glass to restrict the diffusion of Ag into the substrate. The Ag-TiO2 NPs incorporated SiO2 films were intense yellow in color and found to be fairly stable at ambient condition for several days under fluorescent light. These films show a considerable growth inhibition on contact with the gram negative bacteria E. coli.