Effects of electrodeposited photocatalytic zinc oxide (ZnO) films on the viability of Escherichia coli.

Date

5-2010

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Marvin U. Herrera

Co-adviser

Bernadette Mendoza

Abstract

The study aimed to observe the effects of the electrodeposited ZnO on graphite and iron mesh to the viability of Escherichia coll. Using a ZnO-Acetone mixture, ZnO was electrodeposited to graphite rod and iron mesh at a potential maintained at 300V for 15 minutes. With this electrodeposition method, ZnO films were deposited on graphite and iron mesh at the average of 500 nm in grain size. These were then introduced to live E. coil culture. The set-ups were varied by the presence of ZnO or ultraviolet light exposure and the combination or absence of both. The different treatments applied to the E. coil culture were: (a) control, with no exposure to UV and materials with ZnO deposits (b) exposure to UV for 15 minutes (c) introduction to materials with ZnO deposits (d) exposure to UV and materials with ZnO deposits. The control and the set-ups with solely the presence of ZnO or exposure to UV light showed no decrease in the viable cell counts of E. coll. The set-up with ZnO and UV light exposure, however, showed a slight decrease in the number of viable cell counts observed, suggesting that the ZnO electrodeposited to graphite and iron mesh and exposure to UV light has a photocatalytic effect on E. coll. In addition, ZnO electrodeposited on iron mesh showed a lower viable cell count than that of ZnO electrodeposited on 'graphite rods. This suggests that the greater surface area of the iron mesh allows more E. coil to be killed.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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