Synthesis of TiO(2) nanoparticles using microorganisms

Abstract

A low-cost green and reproducible microbes (Lactobacillus sp. and Sachharomyces cerevisae) mediated biosynthesis of TiO(2) nanoparticles is reported. The synthesis is performed akin to room temperature in the laboratory ambience. X-ray and transmission electron microscopy analyses are performed to ascertain the formation of TiO(2) nanoparticles. Individual nanoparticles as well as a few aggregate having the size of 8-35 nm are found. Concentric Scherrer rings in the selected area electron diffraction pattern indicated that the nanoparticles are having all possible orientations. A possible involved mechanism for the biosynthesis of nano-TiO(2) has also been proposed in which pH as well as partial pressure of gaseous hydrogen (rH(2)) or redox potential of the culture solution seems to play an important role in the process. (C) 2009