Photodynamic antimicrobial activity of photosensitizer-integrated polysulfone nanofibers against waterborne pathogens

Electrospun polysulfone nanofibers integrated with 5,10,15,20-[Formula: see text](4-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin (H 2 TMPP) and its zinc (ZnTMPP) and indium(III) chloride (InClTMPP) complexes were synthesized for the inactivation of microorganisms in water. The IC[Formula: see text] values of the synthesized photosensitizers against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were 79.53 [Formula: see text]g/mL and 43.34 [Formula: see text]g/mL, respectively, for H 2 TMPP, 65.07 [Formula: see text]g/mL and 40.23 [Formula: see text]g/mL, respectively, for ZnTMPP, and 52.56 [Formula: see text]g/mL and 30.48 [Formula: see text]g/mL, respectively, for InClTMPP. The photosensitizer-integrated polysulfone nanofibers were found to be phototoxic against the test microorganisms. Biofouling, caused by biofilm formation, is a common challenge in membrane filtration for water treatment. When used for water treatment, therefore, the prepared photosensitizer-integrated polysulfone nanofibers have the potential to mitigate the biofouling concern due to their acquired antimicrobial properties.