Title

Photocatalytic inhibition of algae growth using TiO2, WO3, and cocatalyst modifications

Authors

Authors

C. A. Linkous; G. J. Carter; D. B. Locuson; A. J. Ouellette; D. K. Slattery;L. A. Smitha

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Environ. Sci. Technol.

Keywords

SEMICONDUCTOR POWDERS; BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY; AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS; TITANIUM-DIOXIDE; SOLAR-ENERGY; OXIDATION; WATER; ELECTRODE; DECOMPOSITION; STERILIZATION; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences

Abstract

TiO2 and WO3, with and without noble metal cocatalysts, were employed as photocatalytic surfacing agents to inhibit the attachment and growth of Oedogonium, a sessile, filamentous algae. It was demonstrated that coating a cement substrate with a dispersion of TiO2 powder held in a 10 wt % hinder and irradiating with a combination of black light and fluorescent lamps could effect a 66% reduction in the growth of algae in comparison to the unprotected cement surface. Adding a 1.0 wt % loading of a noble metal such as Pt or Ir to the photocatalyst enabled an 87% reduction. The extent of inhibition was shown to be related to the amount of near-UV light contained in the irradiation source. The ability of the photocatalysts to inhibit algae correlated well with their ability to photooxidize d-(+)-glucose, building block of numerous biochemical polysaccharides, suggesting a nonspecific mechanism in the breakdown of cellular structures.

Journal Title

Environmental Science & Technology

Volume

34

Issue/Number

22

Publication Date

1-1-2000

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

4754

Last Page

4758

WOS Identifier

WOS:000165315900015

ISSN

0013-936X

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