Rapid Visible Light-Driven Water Disinfection with CTAB-Modified UiO-66-NH₂

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Photocatalysis

Background:

• Water scarcity necessitates advanced purification methods.
• Visible light photocatalysis offers an energy-efficient disinfection approach.
• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show potential in water treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel photocatalyst for efficient visible light-driven water disinfection.
• To investigate the role of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in enhancing MOF photocatalytic activity.
• To evaluate the disinfection efficacy and stability of the modified MOF in various water conditions.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of CTAB-modified UiO-66-NH2 (CTAB@UiO-66-NH2) nanocomposite.
• Characterization of the photocatalyst's structure and properties.
• Testing disinfection efficiency against a broad spectrum of bacteria under visible light irradiation.
• Assessing photocatalyst stability and performance in real river water.

Main Results:

• CTAB@UiO-66-NH2 demonstrated rapid (20 min) 6-7 log bacterial inactivation under visible light.
• CTAB modification improved charge separation and reactive oxygen species generation.
• The photocatalyst exhibited stable cyclic performance and good biocompatibility.
• Effective disinfection was observed in real river water samples, with a 2.5 log CFU reduction.

Conclusions:

• CTAB@UiO-66-NH2 is a highly effective visible light photocatalyst for water disinfection.
• The material offers a promising, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for producing safe drinking water.
• This approach has significant implications for addressing global water quality challenges.