Fabrication and photocatalysis of novel Z-scheme Cu2O/Cu-Ag/AgCl heterojunction possessed broad-spectrum antibacterial performance and degradation capabilities

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 1009; p. 176952
• Main Authors: Li, Haixin, Xia, Qin, Zhan, Yizhou, Liu, Xiaoshan, Wang, Zimeng, Hu, Xianbiao, Zhong, Jianji, Gao, Wenhua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 25.12.2024
• Subjects: Antibacterial; Cu2O/Cu-Ag/AgCl; Photocatalyst; Photodegradation; Z-scheme heterojunction; Photodegradation; Antibacterial; Cu2O/Cu-Ag/AgCl; Photocatalyst; Z-scheme heterojunction
• ISSN: 0925-8388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.176952

The construction of nanostructured Z-heterostructures is a potent strategy for achieving efficient photocatalyst synthesis. Herein, a novel Cu2O/Cu-Ag/AgCl (CCAA) Z-scheme heterostructure was created via photoreduction precipitation and utilized for pollutant decomposition and microorganism inactivation. Subject to visible light (λ > 420 nm) illumination, specimen CCAA-2 demonstrated superior photodegradation competence for Congo Red (CR), achieving a degradation rate of 92.6 % within 60 min. The superior removal performance is attributed to the Z-scheme heterostructure, featuring precise interfacial contact, and the combined effect of adsorption and photocatalytic activity. Meanwhile, the optimal sample, CCAA-2, was able to achieve 100 % inactivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) within 15 min under visible light. The photocatalytic performance of CCAA nanocomposites is primarily attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of the noble metal Ag and the fabrication of Z-Scheme heterostructures to improve the utilization efficiency of electrons (e-) and holes (h+). Particularly, the photocatalytic mechanism was scrutinized via active substance capture experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis, uncovering that •O2ˉ and h+ served as key active constituents. Hence, this research presents a feasible approach for designing and constructing Z-Scheme heterojunctions for efficacious removal of contaminants from water. [Display omitted] •A novel Cu2O/Cu-Ag/AgCl Z-scheme heterojunction was created by photoreduction.•Good photocatalytic performance against CR, E. coli and S. aureus in visible light.•The Z-scheme heterojunction effectively inhibits the rapid reorganization of charges.•The generation of Cu monomer increases the electrical conductivity of the material.•The SPR effect of Ag monomer broadens the light absorption range of the material.