Synchronous nanowire-assisted electroporation and peracetic acid oxidation to inhibit VBNC cells formation: Reversible electroporation pores reinforce permeation of peracetic acid for cellular destruction.

The occurrence of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) bacteria may dramatically underestimate microorganic risks in drinking water. Herein, peracetic acid (PAA) oxidation, a green and potent disinfection method, was combined with a physical nanowire-assisted electroporation (EP) to develop the synchronous EP/PAA approach, aiming to reinforce bacterial inactivation via facilitating PAA permeation from EP-induced pores for oxidative damage of cell structures. The locally enhanced electric field near nanowire tips at a low voltage of 1.5 V induced 38.4 % and 52.4 % cells with reversible and irreversible membrane damages, accompanied by 72.5 % cells inactivation and 18.3 % VBNC cells formation. The EP/PAA exhibited significant synergistic effects on removal of viable E. coli (G-), P. aeruginosa (G-), E. faecalis (G+), and S. aureus (G+) cells, especially achieving above 5-log removal (99.999 %) of these viable cells with ∼4-log synergistic effects and ∼5-9 times less energy consumption than the individual EP and PAA (∼40 %-80 %). Characterizations of cell membrane integrity and cellular morphology revealed that EP-induced membrane pores facilitated PAA permeation to destruct cell structures, thereby minimizing the risks of VBNC cell formation and resuscitation. The excellent synergistic effects and long-term stability of EP/PAA in tap water demonstrated its promising application potential to control VBNC cells in drinking water.