Highly efficient visible-light photocatalytic degradation and antibacterial activity by GaN:ZnO solid solution nanoparticles

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2021.04.014

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.

Key words: GaN:ZnO solid solution, Photocatalysis, Antibacterial, Photocatalytic degradation, Photocatalysts

Bing Leng, Xinglai Zhang, Shanshan Chen, Jing Li, Ziqing Sun, Zongyi Ma, Wenjin Yang, Bingchun Zhang, Ke Yang, Shu Guo. Highly efficient visible-light photocatalytic degradation and antibacterial activity by GaN:ZnO solid solution nanoparticles[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2021, 94: 67-76.

Figures/Tables 7

Fig. 1. (a) Crystal structure models of GaN, ZnO and GaN:ZnO solid solution. (b) Stepwise procedure for the fabrication of the GaN:ZnO solid solution NPs. (c) optical and (d, e) SEM images of the NPs with different magnifications. (f) XRD pattern of GaN:ZnO NPs. Reference patterns for wurtzite ZnO (PDF #36-1451), wurtzite GaN (PDF #50-0792) and cubic spinel ZnGa2O4 (PDF #38-1240) are shown as vertical lines.

Fig. 2. (a) TEM image, (b) HRTEM image, (c) corresponding FFT image, (d) STEM image, (e-h) elemental maps and (i) its corresponding EDS profile of GaN:ZnO NPs.

Fig. 3. (a) Full XPS spectrum of GaN:ZnO solid solution NPs. High resolution XPS spectra and peak fits of (b) Ga 2p, (c) Zn 2p, (d) O 1s and (e) N 1s. (f) UV-vis diffuse reflectance absorption spectra, (g) the corresponding band-gap calculations based on Tauc method, and (h) Raman spectra of GaN:ZnO NPs and reference samples of GaN film and ZnO powders.

Fig. 4. (a) Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm and (b) the corresponding pore size distribution plots of GaN:ZnO NPs.

Fig. 5. Absorption spectrum changes of MB solution (a) without and with (b) 0.5 mg/mL, (c) 1 mg/mL and (d) 2 mg/mL GaN:ZnO NPs under different visible light illumination times. The insets display the decoloration photographs of MB solution during photocatalysis. (e) Photocatalytic MB degradation under visible light at 0.5 mg/mL ZnO and different GaN:ZnO concentrations. (f) The ln(Ct/C0) vs time curves of MB degradation. (g) The rate constants for photocatalytic of MB solution on different GaN:ZnO concentrations. (h) MB solution photocatalytic degradation with GaN:ZnO NPs reused five times. (i) Absorbance at 510 nm of salicylic acid with/without light illumination and under different concentrations of GaN:ZnO NPs. ESR spectra of (j) DMPO-•O2¯, (k) DMPO-•OH, and (l) TEMPO-1O2 adducts from the GaN:ZnO NPs and ZnO powders (as reference) under dark and 20 min visible light illumination.

Fig. 6. Photocatalytic antibacterial performance of GaN:ZnO solid solution NPs with (a) E. coli and (b) S. aureus under visible light (λ > 400 nm) illumination. The concentrations of (c) Zn2+ and (d) Ga3+ ions dissolved in DI water under different GaN:ZnO NPs concentrations and soaking times. Photographs of (e) E. coli and (f) S. aureus colonies on agar plates with different GaN:ZnO NPs concentrations and illumination times.

Fig. 7. SEM images of E. coli cells (a, b) untreated and (c, d) treated with GaN:ZnO NPs under visible light illumination. SEM images of S. aureus cells (e, f) untreated and (g, h) treated with GaN:ZnO NPs under visible light illumination. (i) Schematic representation of the possible mechanism of GaN:ZnO NPs visible light photocatalytic antibacterial activity.

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