Abstract
Using ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) as a gas template, we conveniently fabricated ultrathin two-dimensional layered silver-embedded graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (AgCNS) by melamine blowing method with triazine groups of pristine graphite carbon nitride. Compared with bulk g-C3N4 (BCN) and g-C3N4 nanosheets (CNS), the antibacterial activity of the optimized AgCNS-5 at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 40 ppm against Escherichia coli (E. coli) was significantly enhanced. Under visible-light irradiation, E. coli could be completely killed by 100 µg·mL−1 of AgCNS-5 within 30 min. The mechanism of enhanced antibacterial activity was systematically investigated by ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS), photoluminescence spectra (PL), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and photogenerated current densities. Surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) with g-C3N4 was found to lead to an enhancement of visible light absorption and an acceleration of photo-induced electron-hole migration/separation, which is responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic bactericidal performance. Through trapping experiments and electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) techniques, the bactericidal mechanism was revealed that the species of •O2− and •OH play important roles in antibacterial process. Considering the facile preparation and excellent performance, AgCNS-5 may be a promising and competitive visible-light-driven candidate toward sterilizing agent.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
