Surface-selective bactericidal effect of poled ferroelectric materials

The present study deals with the antibacterial performance of poled ferroelectric materials. For this purpose, Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 (BCZTO) piezoelectric ceramic has been synthesized and poled at different electric fields. The antibacterial performance of BCZTO poled and unpoled samples were examined. Approximately 88% of Escherichia coli degradation was recorded at the end of 1 h without any external intervention. Surface selective bacterial degradation was observed in poled materials. It was found that reactive oxygen species produced through electrocatalysis of water molecules play a crucial role in bacterial disinfection. The rate of bacterial degradation was further increased using ultrasonication with poled piezoelectric ceramics. Complete abolition of bacterial growth was achieved within 30 min of treatment with poled piezoelectric ceramic in an ultrasonicator. Results indicate that ferroelectric materials have substantial untapped potential in the field of antimicrobial methods.