TiO2-based photocatalytic disinfection of microbes

The TiO2 based photocatalyst has great potential for the disinfection/inactivation of harmful pathogens (such as E.coli in aqueous media) along with its well-known usefulness on various chemical pollutants. The disinfection property of TiO2 is primarily attributed to surface generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as free metal ions formation. Furthermore, its disinfection capacity and overall performance can be significantly improved through modifications of the TiO2 material. In this review, we provide a brief survey on the effect of various TiO2 materials in the disinfection of a wide range of environmentally harmful microbial pathogens (e.g., bacteria, fungi, algae, and viruses) in aqueous media. The influencing factors (such as reactor design, water chemistry, and TiO2 modifications) of such processes are discussed along with the mechanisms of such disinfection. It is believed that the combined application of disinfection and decontamination will greatly enhance the utilization of TiO2 photocatalyst as a potential alternative to conventional methods of water purification.





S NO
Type
Photocatalyst
Concentration
Duration
Efficiency
Reference
A. Bacteria
1
E. coli
Modified rutile TiO2
5 mg
64%
Song et al. (2015)
2
E. coli
Ag@TiO2 nanoparticles
0.4 g/L
100%
Sreeja and Shetty (2016)
3
E. coli
TiO2 2% GO nanocomposites
90 min
100.00%
Wang et al. (2016)
4
E. coli
40% TiO2 -Bi2WO6
100 mg/mL
4 h
Jia et al. (2016)
5
E. coli
TiO2-Fe3O4 hollow spheres
4 h
100%
Ren et al. (2015)
6
E. coli
TiO2grapheneporphyrin nanocomposite
440 min
64%
Rahimi et al. (2015)
7
E. coli
g-C3N4)/TiO2
180 min
100%
G Li et al. (2015); Y Li et al. (2015)
8
E. coli
Nano TiO2
1 g L1
180 min
100%
Massard et al. (2013)
9
E. coli
GO-TiO2-Ag
120 min
100%
Liu et al., 2013
10
E. coli
TiO2 nanotube
2 g/L
50 min
95%
Ng et al. (2010)
11
E. coli
(Fe, N)-doped TiO2
8 h
94.50%
He et al. (2009)
12
S. Aureus
Silver-modified TiO2/ZnO plasmonic photocatalysts
2 h
99.90%
Tallosy et al. (2014)
13
P. Aeuroginosa
Ag-doped TiO2 nanoparticles
Gupta et al. (2013)
14
L. monocytogens
Nano-TiO2
1.0 g/L
180 mins
Long et al. (2014)
B. Fungi
15
Candida albicans
TiO2
80%
Tatlidil et al. (2011)
16
Fusarium solani
TiO2
10500 mg/L
Fernández-Ibáñez et al. (2009)
C. Virus
17
Bacteriophage MS2
nAg/TiO2
Liga et al. (2011)
18
phage MS2
TiO2-FeSO4
99.9%
Jogren and Sierka (1994)
D. Protozoa
19
Cryptosporidium
TiO2
200 mg/L
5 h
82.10%
Abeledo-Lamiero et al. (2016)
20
Giardia lamblia
TiO2
Navalon et al. (2009)
E. Algae
21
Anabaena flos-aquae
TiO2
Ochiai et al. (2010)
22
Chlorella
TiO2 NPs
10 mg/L
Lin et al. (2014)