Figure 4.

The capability of ROS generated at the surface of TiO₂NWs upon UV illumination to degrade biomolecules is illustrated in the case of strands of DNA. a) The suspension of TiO₂NWs and DNA was illuminated, then centrifuged. Samples for AFM and gel electrophoresis were pipetted from the top of the suspension. b) The AFM images of the DNA molecules deposited on a mica surface show their progressive fractionalization with increasing illumination times. c) The photocatalytic degradation of the DNA is confirmed by electrophoresis; also shown are the two control experiments for DNA suspensions in the absence of contact with TiO₂NWs, performed in the dark and under UV light (only photolysis).