title: On the mechanism of microbe inactivation by metallic iron.
abstract: This letter challenges the concept that the metallic iron (Fe(0)) surface contributes directly to the process of micro-organism inactivation in aqueous solutions. It is shown that any antimicrobial properties of Fe(0) is related to the cycle of expansion/contraction accompanying aqueous iron corrosion. This demonstration corroborates the concept that aqueous contaminant removal in the presence of Fe(0) mostly occurs at the Fe-oxide/water interface or within the oxide-film on Fe(0).
authors.forename: Chicgoua
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Noubactep
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007501:Iron