Synthesis of TiO2-Ag composite through ultrasonic batch cleaning technique as a candidate for antifungal agent Phytophthora palmivora

Abstract

In this work, TiO2-Ag composites have been synthesized through the Ultrasonic Batch Cleaning technique and applied as an antifungal candidate against Phytophthora palmivora. P. palmivora is a pod rot fungus on cacao plants. Physically, the successful synthesis of TiO2-Ag has been characterized by a change in the color of the precipitate from white to grey. This success was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis, where the presence of Ag+ ions made the TiO2 surface more regular. The Ag+ ion was evenly distributed on the TiO2 surface and covers the large TiO2 particles. The results of EDX analysis have shown that the % composition of TiO2-Ag was 93.22%, each consisting of Ti of 50.37%, O of 37.57%, and Ag of 5.25%. Based on the antifungal activity test, TiO2-Ag has good antifungal activity against P. palmivora. The minimum inhibitory level occurred at a concentration of 2.50%, while the minimum lethal rate occurred at a concentration of 4.88%.