Point-of-use photocatalytic device for water disinfection under visible light using ZnO/Gypsum@alginate beads.

A working prototype for point-of-use device for water disinfection under visible light using reusable photocatalytic beads is demonstrated. The device could disinfect antibiotic resistant Salmonella enterica serovar in water within 120 min under visible light using 3.0 g/L of ZnO/G@alginate beads·H 2 O 2 , ^• OH and O 2 ^•− are envisaged as the notable reactive oxygen species which promoted irreversible impairment of bacterial cell membrane. Treated water had no noticeable impact on gut health of administered animal suggesting the bio-safety of the process. Without any notable decline in performance, ZnO/G@alginate beads are used for 9 consecutive cycles. Prototype is further validated by disinfection of other water borne bacteria viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri and is effective in disinfection of fecal coliform in raw surface water samples. Proposed device may find its use as an off-grid water disinfection system appropriate for most pregnable rural populations and individuals living in remote localities. [Display omitted] • A prototype of point-of-use photocatalytic device is demonstrated for water disinfection. • It could disinfect Salmonella enterica serovar in water within 120 min under visible light. • H 2 O 2 , ^• OH and O 2 ^•− are expected to be the key ROS responsible for disinfection. • Treated water had no noticeable impact on gut health of administered animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]