Study of the microbicidal activity against Eschericia coli and Streptococcus faecalis of Bismuth Oxyhalides (BiOBr and BiOI)

Abstract

Bacteria, microorganisms that coexist with humans, can cause serious diseases, particularly when ingested in contaminated drinking water. Two bacteria with different cell wall shapes and structures, that can be found in aqueous environments, were selected in order to study the microbicidal capacity of emerging catalytic materials such as bismuth oxyhalides. These materials, unlike traditional photocatalytic materials, have a layered structure with an internal static electric field perpendicular to them, which potentially induces an effective separation in the generation of electron-hole pairs. The standard species used in this study were, Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 25212). In addition, as part of the same, the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) generated during the photocatalytic reaction were measured. The results obtained showed for both oxyhalides, an excellent bactericidal efficiency, especially for BiOI and a high concentration of H₂O₂, particularly higher for BiOBr.