Photocatalytic Effect of Semiconductor TiO₂, with Solar Battery on S. mutans

study II: effect on the inhibition of adhesion

Abstract

This study showed the photocatalytic effect of the semiconductor, Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) with solar battery, in inhibiting the adhesive properties of S. mutans.
The inhibition of adhesion was compared among these three groups, TiO₂ without electrode, TiO₂and TiO₂ with solar battery. S. mutans that adhered to hydoroxyapatite pellets were then picked out using Erythrocin and each area of adhesion was investigated. The following results were obtained.
1. A 100% adhesion rate was observed in the TiO₂ group without electrode, while the TiO₂ group and TiO₂ group with solar battery had a 65.6% and 26.6% adhesion rate, respectively. It was observed that the photocatalytic reaction of TiO₂ was effective in inhibiting the adhesive properties of S. mutans
2. The TiO₂ group with solar battery showed a stronger effect compared to the TiO₂ group. It was demonstrated that the photocatalytic effect of TiO₂ was enhanced by use of the solar battery.