5897.5:
New Nanostructured Surfaces: Biological and Chemical Effects in the Dark and under Light Irradiation
Abstract
Fundamental studies are proposed to elucidate the salient features of light induced redox processes at the surface of nanocrystalline oxide semiconductors, such as TiO2 or/and Fe2O3 in their applications for the destruction of pollutants and pathogenic agents. The dynamics of interfacial charge transfer reactions will be explored down to the femtosecond time scale. Oxidizing intermediates, e.g surface bound peroxides that play a key role in the photocatalytic process will be scrutinized. The mechanism of their bactericidal action will be explored using E-Coli as model system.