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Peracetic acid‐enhanced photocatalytic and sonophotocatalytic inactivation of E. coli in aqueous suspensions
Author(s) -
Drosou Catherine,
Coz Alberto,
Xekoukoulotakis Nikolaos P.,
Moya Armando,
Vergara Yolanda,
Mantzavinos Dionissios
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.2396
Subject(s) - peracetic acid , photocatalysis , disinfectant , aqueous solution , irradiation , chemistry , water disinfection , water treatment , degradation (telecommunications) , nuclear chemistry , photochemistry , catalysis , waste management , organic chemistry , hydrogen peroxide , telecommunications , physics , nuclear physics , computer science , engineering
BACKGROUND: Although chlorination is an effective and widely employed method of water disinfection, it suffers serious drawbacks such as the formation of toxic chlorinated by‐products. Therefore, other disinfection technologies have been researched and developed, including advanced oxidation. RESULTS: The efficacy of heterogeneous photocatalysis and sonophotocatalysis induced by UV‐A irradiation and low frequency (24–80 kHz) ultrasound irradiation in the presence of TiO 2 as the photocatalyst and peracetic acid (PAA) as an additional disinfectant to inactivate E. coli in sterile water was evaluated. PAA‐assisted UV‐A/TiO 2 photocatalysis generally leads to nearly complete E. coli inactivation in 10–20 min of contact time with the extent of inactivation depending on the photocatalyst type and loading (in the range 100–500 mg L −1 ) and PAA concentration (in the range 0.5–2 mg L −1 ). The simultaneous application of ultrasound and UV‐A irradiation in the presence of TiO 2 and PAA prompted further E. coli inactivation. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed advanced disinfection technology offers complete E. coli inactivation at short treatment times and low PAA doses. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry