2002 Volume 7 Issue 2 Pages 75-81
Hydrotalcites containing copper (Cu-HT) were synthesized using MgCl2, AlCl3and CuCl2, and hydrotalcites containing zinc (Zn-HT) were synthesized using MgCl2, AlCl3 and ZnCl2 Their disinfection activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureusandE. coli phage Q β (phage Qβ) were investigated by the shake-flask method. Cu-HT possessed strong disinfection activities against E. coil and phage Qβ, whereas Zn-HT showed bactericidal activity against E. coil, S. aureus and phage Qβ. Copper elution from Cu-HT was undetectable during the disinfection test. The disinfection activity of Cu-HT was due to the presence of copper. The pH of Cu-HT suspensions was pH 9.3 as a result of the hydration reaction at the surfaces of the Cu-HT particles. The remarkable disinfection activity of Cu-HT against phage Qβ seemed to be based on the cooperative action of copper in Cu-HT and the direct contact of phage Qβ cells to the hydroxyl layers on the surfaces of the Cu-HT particles. We propose that Cu-HT can be used as an alternative disinfectant to chlorine in a water purification system.
