Highly efficient visible-light photocatalytic degradation and antibacterial activity by GaN:ZnO solid solution nanoparticles. (20th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leng, Bing; Zhang, Xinglai; Chen, Shanshan; Li, Jing; Sun, Ziqing; Ma, Zongyi; Yang, Wenjin; Zhang, Bingchun; Yang, Ke; Guo, Shu
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials science & technology. Volume 94(2022)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 76
• Publication Date: 2021-12-20
• Subjects: GaN:ZnO solid solution -- Photocatalysis -- Antibacterial -- Photocatalytic degradation -- Photocatalysts; Metals -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials science; Metals; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2021.04.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1005-0302

Abstract

Abstract: The development of high-efficiency photocatalysts is the primary goal in the field of photocatalytic antibacterial research. In this work, the GaN:ZnO solid solution nanoparticles (NPs) photocatalyst with strong visible absorption and large specific surface area was synthesized via the sol-gel and nitridation reaction process. Also, we systematically investigated the removal efficiency of the organic pollutant and antibacterial activity on E. coli and S. aureus . Notably, methylene blue solution could be completely degraded after 100 min of visible light illumination using 2 mg/mL GaN:ZnO catalyst. Moreover, ~94% of the E. coli were inactivated within 120 min, whereas 100% antibacterial activity against S. aureus was achieved after 90 min of visible light illumination mediated by GaN:ZnO NPs. We further explore the potential mechanism of visible light photocatalytic antibacterial activity enhanced by GaN:ZnO NPs photocatalyst. The current work not only provides a new and efficient photocatalytic antibacterial nanomaterial but also demonstrates its promising applications in environmental and biological fields. Highlights: GaN:ZnO solid solution nanoparticle photocatalyst is synthesized by sol-gel and nitridation reaction process. The photocatalyst demonstrates a good degradation effect on organic pollutants under visible light illumination. GaN:ZnO nanoparticles can kill ~94% of E. coli after 120 min visible light illumination. 100% of S. aureus can be inactivated by GaN:ZnO nanoparticles after 90 min visible light illumination. The antibacterial activity of GaN:ZnO nanoparticles is derived from the ROS produced by photocatalytic process. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract