Rational design of a bismuth oxyiodide (Bi/BiO 1- x I) catalyst for synergistic photothermal and photocatalytic inactivation of pathogenic bacteria in water

In this study, bismuth oxyiodide with coexistence of plasmonic Bi and oxygen vacancy (Bi/BiO 1- x I) was successfully prepared and used towards photothermal and photocatalytic disinfection of pathogenic bacteria containing water. Plasmonic Bi and oxygen vacancies in Bi/BiO 1- x I induced a surface plasmon effect under the irradiation of simulated solar light from 50 0-90 0 nm and promoted the generation of hot electrons and reactive species ( 1 O 2 , h + and center dot O 2 -). The catalyst showed promising performance for inactivation of E. coli K-12, with a 7.2 log inactivated achieved under the optimum conditions. A synergy between photothermal and photocatalytic inactivation was identified and discussed. The mechanisms of E. coli K12 destruction were investigated. The destruction of extracellular antioxidant enzymes of E. coli K-12 was identified after inactivation. Moreover, the E. coli's membrane and its intracellular contents were attacked by the reactive species ( 1 O 2 , h + and center dot O 2 -) and the thermal effects. This work provides useful insights into the rational design of semimetal bismuth-mediated photocatalysts towards effective and sustainable water disinfection. (c) 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.