Recent advances in water and wastewater disinfection by nano-photocatalysis

Recently, nano-photocatalysis has appeared as an efficient and green method of disinfection. It has been found that the process allows deactivation of various types of microorganisms. The antibacterial effect has already been checked on a number of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and others. Moreover, the actions targeted on destruction of fungi, algae and viruses have also been performed. Despite intensive research on novel photocatalysts, titanium dioxide (TiO2) remains the most commonly used material due to its properties. Additionally, TiO2 can be easy modified using physical and chemical methods, what allows for its wide use in industrial scale. One possibility for modification is the use of photocatalysts in the form of nanoparticles. This review gives the latest developments in the deactivation of microorganisms in water and wastewater using photocatalysts in nanoforms. Keywords: Photocatalysis; Nanoparticles; Disinfection; Water and wastewater treatment