Photocatalytic Inactivation as a Method of Elimination of <i>E. coli</i> from Drinking Water
The presence of microorganisms, specifically the <i>Escherichia coli</i>, in drinking water is of global concern. This is mainly due to the health implications of these pathogens. Several conventional methods have been developed for their removal; however, this pathogen is still found in...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/3/1313 |
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| author | Timothy O. Ajiboye Stephen O. Babalola Damian C. Onwudiwe |
| author_facet | Timothy O. Ajiboye Stephen O. Babalola Damian C. Onwudiwe |
| author_sort | Timothy O. Ajiboye |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The presence of microorganisms, specifically the <i>Escherichia coli</i>, in drinking water is of global concern. This is mainly due to the health implications of these pathogens. Several conventional methods have been developed for their removal; however, this pathogen is still found in most drinking water. In the continuous quest for a more effective removal approach, photocatalysis has been considered as an alternative method for the elimination of pathogens including <i>E. coli</i> from water. Photocatalysis has many advantages compared to the conventional methods. It offers the advantage of non-toxicity and utilizes the energy from sunlight, thereby making it a completely green route. Since most photocatalysts could only be active in the ultraviolet region of the solar spectrum, which is less than 5% of the entire spectrum, the challenge associated with photocatalysis is the design of a system for the effective harvest and complete utilization of the solar energy for the photocatalytic process. In this review, different photocatalysts for effective inactivation of <i>E. coli</i> and the mechanism involved in the process were reviewed. Various strategies that have been adopted in order to modulate the band gap energy of these photocatalysts have been explored. In addition, different methods of estimating and detecting <i>E. coli</i> in drinking water were presented. Furthermore, different photocatalytic reactor designs for photocatalytic inactivation of <i>E. coli</i> were examined. Finally, the kinetics of <i>E. coli</i> inactivation was discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:12:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-70e863c5965747a0866050ec0c5a00bd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:12:41Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-70e863c5965747a0866050ec0c5a00bd2023-12-03T11:56:17ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-02-01113131310.3390/app11031313Photocatalytic Inactivation as a Method of Elimination of <i>E. coli</i> from Drinking WaterTimothy O. Ajiboye0Stephen O. Babalola1Damian C. Onwudiwe2Material Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South AfricaDepartment of Biology/Microbiology/Biotechnology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State 84001, NigeriaMaterial Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University (Mafikeng Campus), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South AfricaThe presence of microorganisms, specifically the <i>Escherichia coli</i>, in drinking water is of global concern. This is mainly due to the health implications of these pathogens. Several conventional methods have been developed for their removal; however, this pathogen is still found in most drinking water. In the continuous quest for a more effective removal approach, photocatalysis has been considered as an alternative method for the elimination of pathogens including <i>E. coli</i> from water. Photocatalysis has many advantages compared to the conventional methods. It offers the advantage of non-toxicity and utilizes the energy from sunlight, thereby making it a completely green route. Since most photocatalysts could only be active in the ultraviolet region of the solar spectrum, which is less than 5% of the entire spectrum, the challenge associated with photocatalysis is the design of a system for the effective harvest and complete utilization of the solar energy for the photocatalytic process. In this review, different photocatalysts for effective inactivation of <i>E. coli</i> and the mechanism involved in the process were reviewed. Various strategies that have been adopted in order to modulate the band gap energy of these photocatalysts have been explored. In addition, different methods of estimating and detecting <i>E. coli</i> in drinking water were presented. Furthermore, different photocatalytic reactor designs for photocatalytic inactivation of <i>E. coli</i> were examined. Finally, the kinetics of <i>E. coli</i> inactivation was discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/3/1313photocatalysiswater treatment<i>Escherichia coli</i>bacteria inactivation |
| spellingShingle | Timothy O. Ajiboye Stephen O. Babalola Damian C. Onwudiwe Photocatalytic Inactivation as a Method of Elimination of <i>E. coli</i> from Drinking Water Applied Sciences photocatalysis water treatment <i>Escherichia coli</i> bacteria inactivation |
| title | Photocatalytic Inactivation as a Method of Elimination of <i>E. coli</i> from Drinking Water |
| title_full | Photocatalytic Inactivation as a Method of Elimination of <i>E. coli</i> from Drinking Water |
| title_fullStr | Photocatalytic Inactivation as a Method of Elimination of <i>E. coli</i> from Drinking Water |
| title_full_unstemmed | Photocatalytic Inactivation as a Method of Elimination of <i>E. coli</i> from Drinking Water |
| title_short | Photocatalytic Inactivation as a Method of Elimination of <i>E. coli</i> from Drinking Water |
| title_sort | photocatalytic inactivation as a method of elimination of i e coli i from drinking water |
| topic | photocatalysis water treatment <i>Escherichia coli</i> bacteria inactivation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/3/1313 |
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