Recent Progress in ZnO-Based Nanostructures for Photocatalytic Antimicrobial in Water Treatment: A Review

Abstract

Advances in nanotechnology have led to the development of antimicrobial technology of nanomaterials. In recent years, photocatalytic antibacterial disinfection methods with ZnO-based nanomaterials have attracted extensive attention in the scientific community. In addition, recently widely and speedily spread viral microorganisms, such as COVID-19 and monkeypox virus, have aroused global concerns. Traditional methods of water purification and disinfection are inhibited due to the increased resistance of bacteria and viruses. Exploring new and effective antimicrobial materials and methods has important practical application value. This review is a comprehensive overview of recent progress in the following: (i) preparation methods of ZnO-based nanomaterials and comparison between methods; (ii) types of nanomaterials for photocatalytic antibacterials in water treatment; (iii) methods for studying the antimicrobial activities and (iv) mechanisms of ZnO-based antibacterials. Subsequently, the use of different doping strategies to enhance the photocatalytic antibacterial properties of ZnO-based nanomaterials is also emphatically discussed. Finally, future research and practical applications of ZnO-based nanomaterials for antibacterial activity are proposed.

Antibacterial Activity of Solvothermal Obtained ZnO Nanoparticles with Different Morphology and Photocatalytic Activity against a Dye Mixture: Methylene Blue, Rhodamine B and Methyl Orange

“…There are many literature reports about photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs, but usually on single model pollutant (dye) [ 22 ]. The water is seldom polluted with a single species, usually wastewaters containing a mixture of organic compounds, from different classes [ 23 ].…”

Secured Nanosynthesis–Deposition Aerosol Process for Composite Thin Films Incorporating Highly Dispersed Nanoparticles

“…[ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ] The formation of ZnO NPs by this approach is highly appealing as ZnO NPs present wide technological applications due to their unique properties. These include electro‐optical properties, [ 41 , 42 ] which can be used in devices such as ultraviolet (UV) light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), [ 42 , 43 ] blue luminescent devices or UV lasers [ 44 ] ; photo(electro)catalytic water treatment, [ 45 , 46 , 47 ] antibacterial agents, [ 48 , 49 ] solar cells, [ 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ] and others. [ 55 , 56 ] Such unique properties require not only the ZnO material to be nanosized, but also to be homogeneously dispersed without agglomeration.…”

Photocatalytic Antimicrobials: Principles, Design Strategies, and Applications

“…Overall, the antimicrobial mechanisms of PCAT are illustrated in Figure 10, including the electrostatic interaction with the bacterial cell walls, the destruction of the cell membranes of the bacteria, and the degradation of the biomolecules (protein, DNA). 65 (1) Bacterial membrane destruction via ROS or sharp edges of photocatalysts: ROS attacks the component of the bacterial membrane, which damages the cell membrane integrity, thereby leading to the cell content's leakage such as intracellular K + leakage. 66 (2) PACT can cause ROS generation in cells, which results in oxidative stress and damage to intracellular components.…”