Water disinfection using catalysed in situ hydrogen peroxide

在全球范围内，水消毒依赖于氯化，但需要一种避免形成化学残留物的途径。过氧化氢是一种广谱杀生物剂，可以提供这样的替代方案，但通常不如传统的水修复方法有效。我们已经表明，在由氢气和空气合成过氧化氢的过程中，在AuPd催化剂上形成的活性氧物质-包括羟基、过氧化氢和超氧自由基-比等量的预成型过氧化氢的效力高107倍以上，比同等条件下的氯化高108倍以上。杀菌和杀病毒功效的关键是氢和氧在催化剂上活化时形成的自由基通量。这种方法可以成为水消毒的替代方法的基础，特别是在目前没有传统的水补救手段的社区或缺乏饮用水的社区。这已经获得专利并发表：T。理查兹等人，"A residue-free approach to water disinfection using catalytic in situ generation of reactive oxygen species" Nature Catalysis www.example.com在这个博士项目中要解决的问题是如何提高和优化催化剂的有效性？这将涉及催化剂设计的详细创新，包括新的配方。使用最先进的显微镜和光谱学进行详细的表征将是一个关键部分。该项目是化学和药学之间的合作。在化学方面，将研究催化作用，在药学方面，将研究杀菌效果和作用机制。该项目将与Origin Aqua合作，该公司是一家从事水净化的中小型企业，其总体目标是取代氯作为水消毒的主要方法;即用一种新型的催化清洁和可持续的方法取代化学计量的氯消毒方法。

Globally, water disinfection is reliant on chlorination, but requires a route that avoids the formation of chemical residues. Hydrogen peroxide, a broad-spectrum biocide, can offer such an alternative, but is typically less effective than traditional approaches to water remediation. We have shown that the reactive oxygen species-which include hydroxyl, hydroperoxyl and superoxide radicals-formed over a AuPd catalyst during the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and air are over 107 times more potent than an equivalent amount of preformed hydrogen peroxide and over 108 times more effective than chlorination under equivalent conditions. The key to bactericidal and virucidal efficacy is the radical flux that forms when hydrogen and oxygen are activated on the catalyst. This approach could form the basis of an alternative method for water disinfection, particularly in communities not currently served by traditional means of water remediation or where access to potable water is scarce. This has been patented and published: T. Richards et al. "A residue-free approach to water disinfection using catalytic in situ generation of reactive oxygen species" Nature Catalysis https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-021-00642-w The question to be addressed in this PhD project is how can the effectiveness of the catalyst be improved and optimised?This will involved detailed innovation in catalyst design involving new formulations. Detailed characterisation using state of the art microscopy and spectroscopy will be a key part. The project is a collaboration between Chemistry and Pharmacy. In chemistry the catalysis will be investigated and the microbicidal efficacy and mechanisms of action will be investigated in Pharmacy.The project will involve collaboration with Origin Aqua an SME involved in water purification and the overall aim is to replace chlorine as the main method of water disinfection; i.e. replacing a stoichiometric method of disinfection using Cl with a novel catalysed clean and sustainable method.