Low-Cost Ferroelectric Material Based Technology to Combat Microbial Resistance and Prevention

The study intends to develop new low-cost technology based on ferroelectric materials bulk, powder coating/thick film to impair the life of microbial cells commonly found in drinking tap water, water storage tanks and nosocomial infections. Organic pollutant like pharmaceutical waste would be another target area. Remnant charges present on ferroelectric materials surfaces due to dipole polarization of materials are responsible for water micro electrolysis which results in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Microbial cells are susceptible to high ROS content. Ferroelectric materials also exhibit piezoelectricity and few materials of this family demonstrate photocatalysis. These phenomena piezoelectricity and photocatalysis can further improve antibacterial performance.