Due to the position of microwave radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum, it has not been successfully utilized to disinfect water, to-date. Exceptional properties at the nano-scale, namely microwave absorption-abilities of carbon nanotubes and excellent spectral conversion-capabilities of lanthanide series metal oxides in concert, hold promise to overcome the energetic barrier of this widely used and affordable technology. This study reports synthesis of a nano-heterostructure that combines carbon nanotubes’ and erbium oxides’ properties to generate reactive oxygen species and inactivate<i> Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. Detailed characterization of the synthesized materials with electron microscopy, X-ray techniques, and thermal gravimetric analysis confirms effective hybridization. At least one log unit of microbial inactivation was achieved via reactive oxygen species generation with only 20 s of microwave irradiation at 110 W (0.0006 kW●h energy use). These breakthrough results hold promise to enable an unintended use (of disinfection) of microwave technology, which is diffused deep into the global societal fabric.

Novel nanohybrids enables microwave radiation to disinfection water

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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