Role of hydroxyl radicals and mechanism of escherichia coli inactivation on Ag/AgBr/TiO2 nanotube array electrode under visible light irradiation

Yang Hou, Xinyong Li, Qidong Zhao, Guohua Chen, Colin L. Raston

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

265 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A ternary Ag/AgBr/TiO2 nanotube array electrode with enhanced visible-light activity was synthesized by a two-step approach including electrochemical process of anodization and an in situ photoassisted deposition strategy. The dramatically enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity of the composite electrode was evaluated via the inactivation of Escherichia coli under visible light irradiation (>420 nm), whose performance of complete sterilization was much superior to other reference photocatalysts. PL, ESR, and radicals trapping studies revealed hydroxyl radicals were involved as the main active oxygen species in the photoelectrocatalytic reaction. The process of the damage of the cell wall and the cell membrane was directly observed by ESEM, TEM, and FTIR, as well as further confirmed by determination of potassium ion leakage from the killed bacteria. The present results pointed to oxidative attack from the exterior to the interior of the Escherichia coli by OH , O2•-, holes and Br0, causing the cell to die as the primary mechanism of photoelectrocatalytic inactivation. © 2012 American Chemical Society.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4042-4050
JournalEnvironmental Science and Technology
Volume46
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Apr 2012
Externally publishedYes

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