# Photocatalytic Analysis of Titanium Semiconductors Anodized in H3po4, Hf and Psidium guajava-Based Electrolyte

## TL;DR

Titanium anodized with Psidium guajava shows high photocatalytic activity and could be a sustainable alternative to traditional industrial methods.

## Contribution

Demonstrates Psidium guajava-based anodizing as a sustainable and efficient alternative to industrial titanium anodizing.

## Key findings

- Titanium anodized with Psidium guajava achieved 99% methylene blue dye degradation.
- Psidium guajava anodizing performed similarly to H3PO4 + HF and better than H3PO4.
- High photoactivity is attributed to phenolic compounds like quercetin in Psidium guajava.

## Abstract

Titanium is a versatile material that can be used both
as a semiconductor
in heterogeneous photocatalysis and in the medical field, mainly to
produce implants aimed at restoring, replacing, and correcting biological
structures with poor osseointegration performance. This versatility
is directly related to its unique properties, such as low toxicity,
chemical stability, ability to absorb UV light, durability, stability
at different pHs, and photosensitivity. Therefore, this study aims
to compare titanium anodizing in Psidium guajava using an anodizing bench with the industrial process. For this purpose,
samples anodized in Psidium guajava and anodized by the industrial process (H3PO4 or H3PO4 + HF) were compared regarding morphology, roughness,
color, electrochemical corrosion tests, and Raman spectroscopy. Additionally,
heterogeneous photocatalysis tests were also performed to assess the
photocatalytic activity of TiO2 in the degradation of methylene
blue dye. It was found that the samples anodized with the Psidium guajava electrolyte showed high photoactivity
(99%) in the degradation of methylene blue, in addition to a performance
similar to that of H3PO4 + HF and better than
that of H3PO4. This can be attributed to the
presence of phenolic compounds such as quercetin and indicates that Psidium guajava anodizing is an efficient and sustainable
alternative to the industrial process.