| Summary: | This study addresses the visible light-induced bacterial inactivation kinetics over a Bi<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub> synthesized catalyst. The systematic investigation was undertaken with Bi<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub> prepared by the complexation of Bi with acetic acid (carboxylate) leading to a flower-like morphology. The characterization of the as-prepared Bi<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub> was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), specific surface area (SSA), and photoluminescence (PL). Under low intensity solar light (<48 mW/cm<sup>2</sup>), complete bacterial inactivation was achieved within two hours in the presence of the flower-like Bi<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub>, while under visible light, the synthesized catalyst performed better than commercial TiO<sub>2</sub>. The in situ interfacial charge transfer and local pH changes between Bi<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub> and bacteria were monitored during the bacterial inactivation. Furthermore, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) were identified during <i>Escherichia</i> <i>coli</i> inactivation mediated by appropriate scavengers. The ROS tests alongside the morphological characteristics allowed the proposition of the mechanism for bacterial inactivation. Finally, recycling of the catalyst confirmed the stable nature of the catalyst presented in this study.
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