β-FeOOH/TiO2 Heterojunction for Visible Light-Driven Photocatalytic Inactivation of E. coli

Abstract

In this work, we report on the photocatalytic properties of Ά-FeOOH/TiOŘ heterojunction material for the inactivation of Escherischia coli. XRD, HRTEM, EELS, ELNEFS were used to characterize the as-prepared material. A log reduction of the initial bacterial population was achieved after Śś min of irradiation in the presence of Ŗ.ŗ mL of hydrogen peroxide. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was due to the effective charge transfer between TiŚ+, Feř+, and OŘ+ as shown from the EELS analysis of the heterojunction structure. The role of various reactive species formed due to the photocatalytic reaction was also investigated. Presence of •OH radicals in the bulk solution was the key factor in the photocatalytic inactivation of E. coli.