FRESENIUS ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN, cilt.28, sa.4, ss.2780-2786, 2019 (SCI-Expanded)
In this study, photocatalytic semiconductor TiO2 nanoparticles were used to remove gram- positive Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis bacteria which are important drinking water pollutants from aqueous solutions. Within the scope of study, S. aureus and B. subtilis bacteria were exposed to different concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles (10- 1000 mg/L), pH (6.5), different water contents (ionic strengths: 10- 100 mM). The results were depicted as specific die-off rate (k') and survival fractions (N/N-0). TiO2 nanoparticles provided cell inactivation in absence and presence of light conditions. In addition, photocatalytic activity has been observed even when visible light condition was applied. The compared k' values for both bacterial strains showed that B. subtilis bacteria were found to be more resistant to TiO2 nanoparticles than S. aureus bacteria.