FeTiO₃ as a sustainable antibacterial material: mechanisms, applications, and future directions

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Chinese explanation / 中文解读

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Original abstract

Abstract The accelerating rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most urgent global health challenges of the 21st century, demanding the development of sustainable, non-antibiotic antibacterial strategies. Among emerging solutions, metal oxides have attracted considerable attention for their ability to generate reactive oxygen species, disrupt microbial membranes, and degrade pollutants. Conventional oxides such as TiO₂, ZnO, and Fe₂O₃ have demonstrated promise, but their practical application remains constrained by ultraviolet light dependence, cytotoxicity, or limited antibacterial efficacy. , FeTiO₃ (derived from the naturally abundant mineral ilmenite) has recently emerged as a distinctive alternative that integrates visible-light photocatalysis with Fenton-like chemistry, enabling continuous antibacterial action under both illuminated and dark conditions. These dual mechanisms, supported by its favorable electronic structure and surface chemistry, provide FeTiO₃ with unique functional advantages over conventional oxides. This review critically evaluates the structural and electronic properties of FeTiO₃, its antibacterial mechanisms, environmental and operational performance factors, and advances in sustainable synthesis and modification. Applications in water disinfection, biomedical coatings, food packaging, construction materials, and indoor air purification are assessed alongside safety, sustainability, and economic considerations. Finally, key challenges, including scalability, durability, and regulatory pathways, are outlined, and future opportunities are proposed. Overall, FeTiO₃ is positioned as a globally relevant platform material for next-generation antibacterial technologies, with strong potential to contribute to both AMR mitigation and circular economy goals.

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