Abstract
The photocatalytic disinfection of Escherichia coli K-12 is investigated by the natural sphalerite (NS) under different spectra, wavelengths and intensities of visible light (VL) emitted by light-emitting-diode lamp (LED). The spectrum effect of VL on disinfection efficiency is studied by using white LED, fluorescent tube (FT) and xenon lamp (XE), which indicates that the “discreted peak spectrum” of FT is more effective to inactivate bacteria than “continuous spectrum” of LED and XE. Besides, the photocatalytic disinfection of bacteria is compared under different single spectrum (blue, green, yellow and red color) LEDs. The results show that the most effective wavelength ranges of VL for photocatalytic disinfection with the NS are 440–490 and 570–620 nm. Furthermore, a positive relationship is obtained between the disinfection efficiency and the VL intensity. The experiment shows that NS can completely inactivate 10 7 cfu mL −1 E. coli K-12 within 8 h irradiation by white LED with the intensity of 200 mW cm −2 at pH 8. Moreover, the destruction process of the cell wall and the cell membrane are directly observed by TEM. Finally, no bacterial colony can be detected within a 96 h regrowth test of inactivated bacteria, which reveals that the VL-photocatalytic disinfection leads to an irreversible damage to the bacterial cells.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
