The photocatalytic degradation of two amino‐compounds, methylamine (MA) and dimethylamine (DMA) was investigated in the presence of UV‐irradiated TiO2 aqueous suspensions. Different parameters were studied: adsorption under dark and UV conditions, photolysis, kinetics of degradation, effect of pH, effect of the nature and intensities of photonic flux and finally the chemical pathway MA and DMA degradation.While, the percentage of covered OH in the dark was equal for MA and DMA, it becomes twice higher for MA under UV. The reactivity of MA and DMA is directly correlated with the adsorption under UV. The nitrogen atoms were decomposed mainly to ammonium. Nitrite was also formed but was rapidly oxidized to nitrate. At basic pH, photo assisted hydrolysis and the attack of OH• on N‐atom increase. DMA is mainly transformed to MA. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis show the presence of final slightly mineralised intermediate compounds containing nitrogen atom. We shown that, whatever the energy of photons (UV‐A or UV‐B), the same quantum yield equal to 0.033 was obtained.The photocatalytic inactivation of E. coli under natural solar irradiation in the absence (SODIS) as well in the presence of different concentrations of varied photocatalysts has also been investigated. The effect of temperature on E. coli inactivation was studied. Results show that the additions of any types of catalyst to the water accelerate the bactericidal action of solar irradiation and leads to a total disinfection. No bacterial regrowth was observed during the subsequent dark period. Ammonium and potassium ions were formed during E. coli inactivation in agreement with the membrane perforation and the oxidation of proteins.
