Bio-Inspired Reduced TiO₂ Nanotube Photocatalyst Modified with Polydopamine and Silk Fibroin Quantum Dots for Enhanced UV and Visible-Light Photocatalysis.

ABSTRACT: Y-branched TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) were produced by anodizing titanium plates derived from aerospace production leftovers and subsequently engineered to develop an enhanced TiO₂-based photocatalytic system. The NTs were electrochemically reduced to obtain reduced TiO₂ nanotubes (rTN) with a narrowed bandgap, followed by surface modification with polydopamine (PD) and silk fibroin-derived quantum dots (QDs) to promote enhanced UV and visible-light photocatalysis for wastewater treatment. The QDs were hydrothermally synthesized from Bombyx mori silk fibroin. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed spherical QD agglomerates encapsulated within the PD layer, while Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the presence of carbon and nitrogen o

SUBMITTER: Dumitriu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12842894 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature