Antifungal properties of mesoporous TiO2 films modified with [M(NH3)4]2+ (M= Cu, Zn) against Trichoderma viride and Penicillium citrinum

The antifungal activity of mesoporous TiO2 films modified with [M(NH3)4]2+ (M = Cu, Zn) was evaluated using bamboo as a substrate. Mesoporous anatase TiO2 films were facilely deposited on the bamboo surface (TB) by a hydrothermal method. [M(NH3)4]2+ ions were almost entirely embedded into the pores of the TiO2 films through capillary attraction. Subsequently, antifungal experiments on Trichoderma viride and Penicillium citrinum were performed on potato dextrose agar plates containing the [M(NH3)4]2+ modified TB (MTB) in the dark under 85% relative humidity for four weeks. Compared to original bamboo, TB, and [M(NH3)4]2+/bamboo, all the MTB samples exhibited an excellent antifungal efficiency, and the growth of fungi could be inhibited for at least four weeks, meeting the requirements of the China national standard (GB/T 18,261–2013) and demonstrating the superiority of the anti-mildew technology for practical applications.