Non-Toxic Powder Uses Sunlight to Quickly Kill E. coli Bacteria

Thousands of waterborne bacteria would perish in just 60 seconds, thanks to the low-cost and recyclable harmless powder invented by scientists from Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

Published in Nature Water last May 2023, the study showed how the team’s non-toxic metallic powder, comprising nano-sized flakes of iron oxide, molybdenum sulfide, copper, and aluminum oxide, disinfects water by absorbing the sun’s high-energy visible light and ultraviolet light.

When mixed with contaminated water and exposed to the sun, the nanoflakes, specifically molybdenum sulfide and copper, absorb photons and force them to dislodge electrons. These electrons would react with water and generate hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, which would then immediately attack the bacteria and damage their cell membranes.

The powdery nanoflakes required only 60 seconds of sun exposure before eliminating E. coli bacteria in the water, according to the tests conducted at Stanford University. The team also revealed that they treated 30 samples of contaminated water 30 times using the same powder.

Read the full article here to learn more about the quick and low-cost way to disinfect contaminated water.

Aqua Solutions provides quality lab water systems that deliver the highest purity reagent grade water for various laboratory applications. Select from our range of cost-effective water purification solutions here: https://www.aquaa.com/