Anti-bacterial activity of indoor-light activated photocatalysts

Damian W. Synnott, Michael K. Seery, Steven J. Hinder, Georg Michlits, Suresh C. Pillai*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nanocrystalline photocatalysts, prepared under ambient conditions using a microwave assisted synthesis, show indoor light photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanomaterials, prepared by a microwave assisted synthesis, are shown to be cubic blende structure with an average crystallite size of 4-6. nm. The anti-bacterial activity of these nanomaterials is investigated under irradiation from a 60. W light bulb and photocatalytic activity is revealed to be due to the defects present in the crystal structure. The ZnS shows anti-bacterial action as both a bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal (88% reduction in the amount of bacteria in 5. h) material and the methods of bacterial degradation on the ZnS is discussed. The anti-bacterial actions of these materials were also compared with commercial ZnS and Evonik-Degussa P-25. A detailed mechanism for the light absorption in the visible light region of the microwave prepared ZnS is proposed based on the luminescence spectroscopy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)106-111
Number of pages6
JournalApplied Catalysis B: Environmental
Volume130-131
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 7 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anti-MRSA coatings
  • Anti-microbial
  • Band gap
  • Cell wall
  • Decontamination
  • Degussa P-25
  • Disinfection
  • Doping
  • Emerging pollutants
  • Escherichia coli
  • Gram positive and gram negative bacteria
  • Green and energy efficient synthesis
  • Hospital acquired infections
  • MRSA
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
  • Micro-biology
  • P. aerginosa
  • Photo-activity
  • Solar
  • TiO
  • Visible light
  • XPS
  • ZnO

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Environmental Science
  • Process Chemistry and Technology

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