Usually, antibacterial effects of a certain designed drug could be measured by MIC and MBC tests in which bacteriostatic and bactericidal performance of it are measured, respectively. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) is defined as the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial ingredient or agent that is bacteriostatic (prevents the visible growth of bacteria). MICs are used to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of various compounds by measuring the effect of decreasing concentrations of antibiotic/antiseptic over a defined period in terms of inhibition of microbial population growth.
The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) is the lowest concentration of an antibacterial agent required to kill a bacterium over a fixed, somewhat extended period, such as 18 hours or 24 hours, under a specific set of conditions. It can be determined from the broth dilution of MIC tests by subculturing to agar plates that do not contain the test agent. The MBC is identified by determining the lowest concentration of antibacterial agent that reduces the viability of the initial bacterial inoculum by a pre-determined reduction such as ≥99.9%. The MBC is complementary to the MIC; whereas the MIC test demonstrates the lowest level of antimicrobial agent that greatly inhibits growth, the MBC demonstrates the lowest level of antimicrobial agent resulting in microbial death. For more details, read related protocol. Typically for these tests, we use Autoclave, Incubator, Laminar hood and Micropipette.
To evaluate performance of a synthesized material applied as photo-anode, photo-cathode or electro catalysts for water splitting reactions some tests are suggested in a three electrode configuration with proper electrolyte (basic, acidic or natural based on the electrode material). Typical tests are :
- Cyclic voltammetry in proper window potential to study how the surface is stable and what are the redox peaks.
- Linear sweep voltammetry in dark condition or under irradiation, to investigate photoresponse of the photocatalysts material at each potential and also over potential of the applied electro catalysts.
- Chrono amperometry technique at a fixed applied bias (for example OCP) to measure photoresponse versus time, usually by chopping the light source.
- Chrono potentiomety technique at a fixed current (usually zero current) to follow kinetics of photopotential of the surface.
- Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods ( fixed frequency or scanning frequency)
To measure life times, flat band potential, charge transfer resistance, capacitance etc.
- Measuring IPCE (incident photon to current efficiency at each irradiating wavelength)
- Solar to hydrogen efficiency (STH)
And any other required electrochemical data.
All tests to evaluate super-capacitor performance are also feasible.