We herein provide photoelectrochemical (PEC) disinfection activities of anodically prepared TiO₂ nanotube (TNT) arrays (diameter ˜ 100 nm, length ˜ 16.5 μm on average) that were electrochemically self-doped before (bk-TNT) and after (bl-TNT) an atmospheric annealing at 450 °C. The X-ray diffraction indicated predominating anatase TiO₂ signal on bl-TNT, while substantial lattice distortion was noticed for bk-TNT. Although the X-ray photoelectron spectra indicated negligible Ti³⁺ on surface of both TNTs, linear sweep (cyclic) voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectrometry confirmed the bk-TNT to show greater double layer capacitance and overall photocurrent, coupled with lower charge transfer resistance. Nevertheless, the PEC disinfection of E. coli was significantly invigorated on bl-TNT, while the bactericidal rates in tap water were comparable or even far greater than those in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ solutions, depending on [E. coli]₀ (10⁵ or 10⁷ CFU/mL). Under a presumed diffusion-controlled kinetic regime in this study, observed effects of capacitance and electrolyte could be interpreted in terms of electrostatic interaction between the electrical double layer of photoanodes and charged bio-solids, such as repulsion by co-ions (SO₄^2-) and adsorption/surface blocking. Analogous PEC experiments on model organic compounds degradation (4-chlorophenol and methylene blue) corroborated a long-term stability of the bl-TNT (up to 30 consecutive cycles) and the role of surface hydroxyl radical as the primary oxidant.

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