Russia has learned how to disinfect water using ordinary light

A group of Skoltech scientists has developed and patented a new photocatalyst that effectively cleans water from organic pollutants using ordinary visible light instead of ultraviolet. Mercury gas-discharge lamps, which produce UV radiation, are traditionally used for this purpose. However, according to scientists, these lamps are environmentally unsafe, require special disposal and do not provide uniform cleaning.

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"The radiation power of mercury lamps decreases significantly when the distance between the irradiated solution and the source increases, therefore, the concentration of ozone formed near the lighting device during disinfection of water can significantly exceed the permissible sanitary standards. We offer an alternative to mercury lamps — high-power UV-LED LEDs, which have the same advantages as conventional LED leds: environmental friendliness, cost—effectiveness, long service life and low power dissipation when removed from the source," said Ekaterina Moiseeva, author of the patent, intern researcher at the Skoltech Center for Photonics and Photonic Technologies..

Instead of a traditional photocatalyst, it is proposed to use titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is activated only by UV radiation. Experts have created a hybrid composite with phthalocyanine dye that works effectively under visible light, triggering the process of mineralization of organic compounds and inactivation of pathogens.