A photocatalytic process for the eradication of dengue through ˙OH generation in the presence of sunlight and iron oxide

Abstract

Iron oxide was dispersed in a floating matrix based on autoclaved porous brick. Under an incidence of solar radiation ˙OH radicals are generated by the photocatalytic process, completely oxidizing the organic matter. This procedure makes the proliferation of dengue larva unfeasible. Additionally, ˙OH radicals have a remarkable deleterious effect on hatching of A aegypti eggs. The predominant iron phase was hematite (α-Fe₂O₃), as indicated by the Mossbauer spectroscopy. The formation of ˙OH species was demonstrated by typical m/z values obtained via ESI-MS.