UV and visible light photoelectrocatalytic bactericidal performance of 100% {111} faceted rutile TiO2 photoanode

This work reported the use of a UV and visible light active rutile TiO2 photoanode with 100% exposed {1 1 1} faceted surface for photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic bactericidal applications. The bactericidal performances of the photoanode with UV and visible light driven photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis processes were evaluated using Escherichia coli as the test bacteria. Under the UV irradiation, 99.97% inactivation of 45 mL of 1.0 x 10(7) CFU/mL E. coli cells can be achieved within 10 min for photoelectrocatalysis treatment, while only 96.40% inactivation can be obtained within 30 min for photocatalysis treatment. Under the visible light irritation, 88.46% inactivation can be achieved with 180 min photocatalytic treatment, while 100% inactivation by photoelectrocatalytic treatment can be achieved over the same period. The bactericidal performance of the rutile TiO2 film was also evaluated for sunlight driven photocatalysis treatment. 1.0 mL of 1.0 x 107 CFU/mL E. coli cells can be completely inactivated within 2.0 min. The rutile TiO2 film photocatalyst can be used for 20 consecutive bactericidal experiments without the noticeable change in bactericidal performance. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.