Pyro-electro-catalytic Disinfection using the Pyroelectric Effect in Low Curie Temperature, Lead-Free Ferroelectric Ceramics

BST particles were synthesised and used to produce a variety of materials structures, including finely ground powders (1-2µm), porous structures and dense materials, which were full characterised using physical and ferroelectric characterisation techniques. The BST materials were used in pyro-electro-catalytic decontamination of water experiments. The results were very promising, showing a significant 3-log reduction in viable bacterial cell counts (in CFU/ml), which is above the accepted 1-2 log reduction using conventional water treatment processes. Further experiments were carried out with the pyroelectric BST powders and porous structures, using other bacteria strains and indicators commonly found in contaminated water.