BiVO4 thin films design via magnetron sputtering for water treatment: Antimicrobial activity, photocatalytic efficiency, and toxicity assessment

Abstract

This paper investigates the production of bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) thin film for photocatalytic water treatment, verifying the effect of operational parameters for BiVO₄ thin film production by magnetron sputtering. The samples were characterized and through photocatalytic assessment, the BiVO₄ optimal production condition was determined as being 4 mTorr of pressure, 100 kHz of pulse frequency, 90 % of duty cycle, and 2 h of deposition time. The BiVO₄ antimicrobial proprieties were assessed following the British Standard ISO 27447:2009 with E. coli. Antimicrobial activity was observed under visible light, resulting in values under the detection limit (<LD) within 24 h. The material showed activity in the dark, achieving values < LD within 48 h. According to ISO 10993–5:2009, different cytotoxicity levels in humane intestinal cells were observed within the tested concentrations range. This antimicrobial activity is unprecedented, indicating a significant opportunity for advancement in disinfection and offering a safe alternative to conventional water treatment.