Growth inhibition of bacterial pathogens by photo-catalyst process of nano-alloys FeCuNi doped TiO(2) under ultraviolet irradiation

This study reports the application of FeCuNi nano-alloy doped TiO(2) synthesized via the sol-gel method as an antibacterial with a sterilization rate greater than 95% under ultra-violet (UV) irradiation. The performance was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that the sterilization process of FeCuNi–TiO(2) in cell suspension of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis increased the effectiveness of UV irradiation at wavelength (λ) ≥ 385 nm after 120 min. The optimum growth inhibition of FeCuNi–TiO(2) was observed in the concentrations 1.5 g/L of E. coli, 1.5 g/L of S. aureus and 2.0 g/L of B. subtilis. The highest antimicrobial efficiency of FeCuNi–TiO(2) powder was provided by a particle size of 16.8 nm, surface area of 70.98 m(2)/g. The increased antimicrobial activity in multiplied-three doped ions was related to the increase of illumination energy of UV absorption in the photo-catalyst process. The inhibition mechanism reaction of the three species of bacteria cell affects the lipid peroxidation process at the microbe cell’s wall. This was indicated by the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA). Lipid oxidation was based on the reaction of 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) as an indicator of primary and secondary oxidation.