Development of a field enhanced photocatalytic device for biocide of coliform bacteria.
A field enhanced flow reactor using bias assisted photocatalysis was developed for bacterial disinfection in lab-synthesized and natural waters. The reactor provided complete inactivation of contaminated waters with flow rates of 50mL/min. The device consisted of titanium dioxide nanotube arrays, with an externally applied bias of up to 6V. Light intensity, applied voltage, background electrolytes and bacteria concentration were all found to impact the device performance. Complete inactivation of Escherichia coli W3110 (~8×10(3)CFU/mL) occurred in 15sec in the reactor irradiated at 25mW/cm(2) with an applied voltage of 4V in a 100ppm NaCl solution. Real world testing was conducted using source water from Emigration Creek in Salt Lake City, Utah. Disinfection of natural creek water proved more challenging, providing complete bacterial inactivation after 25sec at 6V. A reduction in bactericidal efficacy was attributed to the presence of inorganic and organic species, as well as the increase in robustness of natural bacteria.
Departments of Civil Engineering, University of Utah, USA. Electronic address: hubjefm@gmail.com.
Jeff M
JM
Huber
Departments of Metallurgical Engineering, University of Utah, USA.
Krista L
KL
Carlson
Departments of Civil Engineering, University of Utah, USA.
Otakuye
O
Conroy-Ben
Departments of Metallurgical Engineering, University of Utah, USA; Departments of Chemical Engineering, University of Utah, USA.
Mano
M
Misra
Departments of Chemical Engineering, University of Utah, USA.
Swomitra K
SK
Mohanty
D004203:Disinfection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D043942:Nanotubes; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D014025:Titanium; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium
Escherichia coli; Immobilized; Inactivation; Nanotubes; Photocatalysis; Titanium dioxide