Instant inactivation and rapid decomposition of Escherichia coli using a high efficiency TiO2 nanotube array photoelectrode

Abstract

Highly ordered TiO₂ nanotube (TNT) array film fabricated by anodisation was used as a photoelectrode in a thin-layer photoelectrochemical flow reactor, exhibiting excellent capability of instant inactivation and rapid decomposition of Escherichia coli (E. coli). With photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) treatment, 100% inactivation of E. coli (1.0 × 10⁷ CFU mL⁻¹) can be achieved within 97 s using TNT, which was almost 2.2 times faster than using a TiO₂ nanoparticle (TNP) photoelectrode with a similar film thickness. The high efficiency TNT photoelectrode combining with the thin-layer photoelectrochemical flow reactor would be promising for scaling up application to effectively remove waterborne pathogens.