Photocatalysis for disinfection and degradation of organic contaminants in contaminated waters

Authors

  • Marisa Julia Sandoval Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca, 11 de Abril 461 (8000), Bahía Blanca, Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia – INBIOSUR-CONICET, Av. Alem 1253 (8000), Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
  • Lorena Ines Brugnoni Universidad Nacional de Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia – INBIOSUR-CONICET, Av. Alem 1253 (8000), Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
  • Flavia Marcela Carranza Laboratorio Susana Palazzesi LSP, Tarapaca 1982 (8000), Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
  • Mabel Rizzo Hospital Interzonal Dr. José Penna, Av. Lainez 2401 (8000), Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
  • Claus Samuelsen Lucea Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química – INQUISUR-CONICET, Av. Alem 1253 (8000), Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
  • Anabela Silvana Lorenzetti Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química – INQUISUR-CONICET, Av. Alem 1253 (8000), Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
  • Claudia Elizabeth Domini Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química – INQUISUR-CONICET, Av. Alem 1253 (8000), Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
  • Cecilia Inés Nora Morgade Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca, 11 de Abril 461 (8000), Bahía Blanca, Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Sur. Departamento de Física – IFISUR-CONICET, Av. Alem 1253 (8000), Bahía Blanca, Argentina.

Abstract

This work shows results of a study carried out with ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles (anatase and rutile), as photocatalysts with bactericidal activity against two bacterial strains with different cell wall structures (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Enterocus faecalis ATCC 25212). The oxide remediation activity against the antibiotic norfloxacin in aqueous solution was also evaluated. Photolysis, adsorption and photocatalysis were evaluated. The inhibition zones of the samples of the antibiotic degraded by photocatalysis with TiO2 anatase against Escherichia coli strains were also studied. The results obtained regarding the bactericidal power of the oxides studied show greater efficiency for ZnO. Among the polymorphs of titania, anatase presented more effective results than TiO2 rutile for both microorganisms.Regarding the degradation of norfloxacin, the highest percentages were obtained photocatalytically with TiO2 anatase followed by that obtained with ZnO and finally with TiO2 rutile. Photolysis, on the other hand, was less efficient than photocatalysis, however, it presented better removal than adsorption in all cases.

Published

20-12-2023