PHOTOCATALYTIC INACTIVATION OF PHAGE Q-BETA BY IMMOBILIZED TITANIUM-DIOXIDE MEDIATED PHOTOCATALYST

Photocatalytic inactivation of virus by immobilized TiO2 was investiga ted using RNA phage Q beta as a model. TiO2-coated tiles, developed fo r interior sterilisation, were used as immobilized photocatalyst. 2.2 log Q beta was inactivated by immobilized TiO2 mediated photocatalysis by Ih irradiation with near UV black light at an intensity of 3.6x10( -3)W/cm(2). Experiments with a slurry TiO2 reactor were also performed as a reference for the inactivation kinetics study. Photocatalytic Q beta inactivation was expressed by first-order kinetics as the initial concentration of the phage Q beta varied. The inactivation rate const ant was proportional to the light intensity in the range of 3-8x10(-3) W/cm(2) of black light with immobilized TiO2 photocatalyst. Broth intr oduced with phage into the reaction solution inhibited inactivation. N o noticeable difference in inactivation was observed between germicida l lamp irradiation with and without immobilized TiO2. (C) 1997 IAWQ. P ublished by Elsevier Science Ltd.