Copper-ligand complex for the decolorization of synthetic dyes

The reaction system containing Cu(II), hydrogen peroxide and D-arabinono-1,4-lactone was found to be effective in the decolorization and reduction of toxicity of azo, thiazine-, triphenylmethane- and anthraquinone-based synthetic dyes. More than 85% decolorization was obtained with 100ppm Acridine Orange, Azure B, Chicago Sky Blue 6B, Crystal Violet, Evans Blue, Poly B-411, Reactive Blue 2, Reactive Blue 5, and Remazol Brilliant Blue R incubated for 24h in the presence of 10mM CuSO(4), 20mM D-arabinono-1,4-lactone and 80 mM H(2)O(2). The rate of decolorization was not affected by pH in the range of 3-9. The rapid decolorization was accompanied by a fast decomposition of H(2)O(2) in the reaction mixture and by a fast production of hydroxyl radicals.     

Inactivation of bacteria G(+)-S. aureus and G(-)-E. coli by phototoxic polythiophene incorporated in ZSM-5 zeolite

A new heterogeneous photocatalyst was prepared by oxidative polymerization of the thiophene with ferric chloride in the ZSM-5 zeolite type. The synthesized polythiophene absorbs radiation in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum and by illumination with visible light generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in water medium. During illumination reactive hydroxyl radical was detected by the spin trapping EPR method. Efficiency of the photocatalyst was tested on the killing of Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli.