Using Self Cleaning TiO2 Photocatalyst in the Making of Ceramic Tiles to Decrease Ammonium Concentration and Bacterium Growth

Abstract

The purpose of this research is using self-cleaning TiO2 photo catalyst in the making of ceramic tiles to decrease ammonium concentration and bacterium by determining the most appropriate percentage of TiO2 towards the density, hardness, and bending strength on ceramic tiles, degrading ammonium concentration and bacterium on the tiles on sintering temperature with the optimum percentage of catalyst volume variation. Result of the research shows that the best condition in making ceramic tiles is when the sintering temperature is 1100oC, the best density is 15% TiO2 that is (2.697 ± 0.049) gram/cm3, the best hardness and bending strength by adding 10% TiO2 (592.594 ± 22.518) Mpa and (1929.696 ± 411.54) Mpa, therefore the making of ceramic is using 1100oC sintering temperature and adding 10% TiO2. The decreasing of the ammonium concentration on ceramic tiles by adding 10% TiO2 on sintering temperature of 1100oC with 2 hours ray time is 65.23%. On glasured ceramic tiles, degradation of E. Coli is 100% with 3 hours ray time, while P. Aeruginosa and S. aureus are only degraded 9.99%. On non glasured ceramic tiles, degradation of P. Aeruginosa is 100% with 2 hours ray time, while E. coli dan S. aureus are only degraded 9.99% with 3 hours ray time. Ceramic tiles with 10% added TiO2 is very suitable for bathrooms or places with water that have the possibility of E. coli or P. aeruginosa contamination.