Nano-photocatalysts for the destruction of chloro-organic compounds and bacteria in water

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2013 Sep 15:406:105-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2013.05.067. Epub 2013 Jun 5.

Abstract

The article deals with a novel electrochemical method of preparing nano-photocatalysts suspended in aqueous solution and their application for water treatment from chloro-organic compounds and bacteria. The nano-photocatalysts have been electrolytically synthesized in the cell with titanium and graphite electrodes. The synthesized nano-photocatalysts based on nanocarbon-titanium composition have the active functional groups including carbonyl (>C=O), hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), and photocatalytic -Ti(OH)-O-Ti(OH)- formed on the surface of carbon nanoparticles. Here, we report that the synthesized nano-photocatalysts can destroy chloro-organic compounds including dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), aldrin (C12H8Cl6), lindane (C6H6Cl6), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and bacteria Escherichia coli in water under UV and sunlight. In addition, the method of nano-photocatalysts detection in water has been described.

Keywords: Chloro-organic compound; Nano-photocatalyst; Nanoparticle; Photocatalyst.

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Electrodes
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Photochemical Processes*
  • Photolysis / drug effects*
  • Water Microbiology*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Water Purification / methods*

Substances

  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical