Effective photocatalytic disinfection of E. coli K-12 using AgBr-Ag-Bi2WO6 nanojunction system irradiated by visible light: the role of diffusing hydroxyl radicals.
Urgent development of effective and low-cost disinfecting technologies is needed to address the problems caused by an outbreak of harmful microorganisms. In this work, we report an effective photocatalytic disinfection of E. coli K-12 by using a AgBr-Ag-Bi(2)WO(6) nanojunction system as a catalyst under visible light (lambda >or= 400 nm) irradiation. The visible-light-driven (VLD) AgBr-Ag-Bi(2)WO(6) nanojunction could completely inactivate 5 x 10(7) cfu mL(-1) E. coli K-12 within 15 min, which was superior to other VLD photocatalysts such as Bi(2)WO(6) superstructure, Ag-Bi(2)WO(6) and AgBr-Ag-TiO(2) composite. Moreover, the photochemical mechanism of bactericidal action for the AgBr-Ag-Bi(2)WO(6) nanojunction was investigated by using different scavengers. It was found that the diffusing hydroxyl radicals generated both by the oxidative pathway and the reductive pathway play an important role in the photocatalytic disinfection. Moreover, direct contact between the AgBr-Ag-Bi(2)WO(6) nanojunction and bacterial cells was not necessary for the photocatalytic disinfection of E. coli K-12. Finally, the photocatalytic destruction of the bacterial cells was directly observed by TEM images and further confirmed by the determination of potassium ion (K(+)) leakage from the killed bacteria. This work provides a potential effective VLD photocatalyst to disinfect the bacterial cells, even to destruct the biofilm that can provide shelter and substratum for microorganisms and resist to disinfection.
Zhang
Li-Sha
LS
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
Wong
Kin-Hang
KH
Yip
Ho-Yin
HY
Hu
Chun
C
Yu
Jimmy C
JC
Chan
Chiu-Yeung
CY
Wong
Po-Keung
PK
D001729:Bismuth / Q000737:chemistry*; D001965:Bromides / Q000737:chemistry*; D048168:Escherichia coli K12 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D018030:Silver Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
D001965:Bromides; D018030:Silver Compounds; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D012834:Silver; C047751:silver bromide; D001729:Bismuth