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Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus in water by means of solar photocatalysis using metal doped TiO 2 semiconductors
Author(s) -
Venieri Danae,
Tournas Fanourios,
Gounaki Iosifina,
Binas Vassilios,
Zachopoulos Apostolos,
Kiriakidis George,
Mantzavinos Dionissios
Publication year - 2017
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.5085
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , dopant , catalysis , staphylococcus aureus , doping , chemistry , population , aqueous solution , nanotechnology , nuclear chemistry , materials science , bacteria , organic chemistry , biology , optoelectronics , genetics , demography , sociology
BACKGROUND The need for clean water and high hygiene standards has led to the exploration of effective disinfection techniques for the elimination of persistent and pathogenic microorganisms. The disinfection potential of cation‐doped titania was investigated in terms of Staphylococcus aureus elimination in aqueous samples under artificial and natural sunlight. RESULTS Fe‐, Al‐ and Cr‐doped TiO 2 were prepared with dopant loadings of 0.04, 0.3 and 2 wt%. Cation doping resulted in absorption shifts into the visible region, thus rendering the use of solar light feasible. The relative activity for S. aureus inactivation decreased in the order Fe‐ TiO 2 > Al‐ TiO 2 > Cr‐ TiO 2 > P25 . For example, an approximately 5 log reduction was obtained in 30, 10 and 6 min when Fe‐loading was 0.04, 0.3 and 2 wt%, respectively, at an initial bacterial concentration of 10 7 CFU mL −1 and a catalyst concentration of 50 mg L −1 . The catalyst concentration in each case affected the overall process up to a certain extent. Scanning electron microscopy revealed interaction between the catalyst nanoparticles and bacterial cells during treatment, with significant alteration in their shape, morphology and size. Under natural sunlight conditions Fe‐ TiO 2 and Al‐ TiO 2 could achieve a 99.9% killing of S. aureus population after 60 min. CONCLUSION In a nutshell, solar photocatlysis with cation‐doped titania is an effective disinfection technology for adaptable and tolerant pathogens such as S. aureus . © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry