Inactivating microorganisms in water by using a novel Ag/CuS/carbon cloth composite for photo-electrocatalytic performance

Abstract

With the aggravation of environmental bacterial pollution, an efficient and useful sterilization technology is urgently needed. In this paper, a new type of Ag/CuS/carbon cloth bactericidal material was prepared using hydrothermal and photo-reduction method. The bactericidal effects of Ag/CuS/carbon cloth on Bacillus subtilis in photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and photoelectric synergy technologies were experimentally determined. The effects of different input voltages, concentrations, light intensities, catalysts, solutions, and other operating conditions on the bactericidal effect were studied. The results showed that compared with photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, under the input voltage of 2 V, the photoelectrocatalysis sterilization achieved 99.99 % bactericidal removal effect in 22.5 min. Bacillus subtilis can be effectively removed through the bactericidal action of Ag and Cu combined with the photo catalysis and electric field bactericidal action. Photoelectrocatalysis syntheses have a good sterilization prospects and development potential.

Keywords

• Photoelectrocatalysis
• Bacillus subtilis
• Ag/CuS/carbon cloth
• Bactericidal mechanism
• Energy consumption