Efficient Z-scheme visible-light-driven photocatalytic bacterial inactivation by hierarchical MoS2-encapsulated hydrothermal carbonation carbon core-shell nanospheres

Abstract

A MoS2-encapsulated hydrothermal carbonation carbon (HTCC@MoS2) heterojunction was constructed via a one-pot route. The HTCC@MoS2 nanospheres could efficiently inactivate 7-log bacterial cells within 50 min. Notably, as a metal-free material, pure HTCC nanostructures fabricated in this work also showed desirable photocatalytic activity. The continuously produced reactive species, especially O2 radicals, caused significant damage of bacterial cell membrane. The unique Z-scheme mode remarkably promoted the electron transfer and charge separation in the HTCC@MoS2 composite. This work not only developed a novel strategy for the direct conversion of carbohydrates to metal-free and photocatalytically active HTCC semiconductor, but also provided a promising HTCC@MoS2 heterojunction for cost-effective water disinfection.