title: Photocatalytic water disinfection by simple and low-cost monolithic and heterojunction ceramic wafers.
abstract: In this work, the photocatalytic disinfection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) using dual layer ceramic wafers, prepared by a simple and low-cost technique, was investigated. Heterojunction wafers were prepared by pressing TiO2 and WO3 powders together into 2 layers within a single, self-supported monolith. Data modelling showed that the heterojunction wafers were able to sustain the formation of charged species (after an initial "charging" period). In comparison, a wafer made from pure TiO2 showed a less desirable bacterial inactivation profile in that the rate decreased with time (after being faster initially). The more favourable kinetics of the dual layer system was due to superior electron-hole vectorial charge separation and an accumulation of charges beyond the initial illumination period. The results demonstrate the potential for developing simplified photocatalytic devices for rapid water disinfection.
authors.affiliation: Christopher Ingold Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK. j.a.darr@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Neel M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Makwana
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hazael
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: McMillan
authors.forename: Jawwad A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Darr
mesh_terms: D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008027:Light; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014414:Tungsten / Q000737:chemistry; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium; D014414:Tungsten