Degradation of Bacteria for Aquatic Wastewater Treatment in a Nanoparticles TiO₂ and ZnO Coated Photo Catalytic Reactors Illuminated by Solar Light ZnO, TiO₂

Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, essential for sustaining life and promoting public health. This highlights the urgent need for innovative technologies to address water quality challenges. Nanotechnology has shown great promise in this field due to the unique properties of nanomaterials, which can be harnessed to enhance water treatment performance. This study explored water pollution treatment using reactors coated with nanomaterials and exposed to direct sunlight to activate their catalytic properties. The approach was developed as an alternative to conventional disinfectants such as chlorine—widely known for its harmful and carcinogenic effects—or ozone, which, while effective, is costly. An experimental methodology was applied using water samples collected from wastewater treatment plants. The efficiency of nanomaterials in eliminating bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli and Bacillus, was assessed alongside their influence on selected physicochemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, and total soluble solids. Absorbance curves were measured before and after treatment with nanoparticle-coated reactors. The curves revealed no abnormal peaks or spectral changes, confirming the stability of the nanomaterials within the treatment system and their lack of mixing with the treated water. No significant changes in pH were observed, while only slight variations in electrical conductivity were recorded. Overall, the results demonstrate that the use of nanomaterials in combination with solar energy provides a safe, efficient, and sustainable technology for water treatment. This approach is particularly valuable for resource-limited settings and remote areas, where it can improve water quality and reduce bacterial contamination risks without dependence on harmful chemicals.