Magnetic-Based Photocatalyst for Antibacterial Application and Catalytic Performance

Abstract

Photocatalysis using magnetic-based photocatalyst in water and wastewater treatment offers a green and effective technique for the disinfection of harmful microorganisms along with its unwanted chemical pollutants. Introduction of magnetic materials to the catalytic material composites allows for the convenient magnetic separation, hence providing more economical, effective and environmentally friendly water decontamination processes. In this work, we disclosed a brief review on the effect of various magnetic-based photocatalyst nanomaterials on the application of the photocatalytic disinfection and degradation processes. The influencing factors including photocatalyst concentration and light intensity, nature of microorganism, solution pH, initial bacterial concentration and physiological state of bacteria of such processes were presented along with the disinfection mechanisms. The mechanism of magnetic-based photocatalyst was mainly ascribed to the surface generation of reactive oxygen species as well as free metal ion formation. Additionally, the potential utilization of the magnetic-based photocatalyst as visible light nanomaterials was discussed, and their magnetic recoveries were reviewed. It was worth noting that the combined disinfection and decontamination processes will greatly improve the use of magnetic-based photocatalysts as potential alternative to conventional methods of water purification.