Appropriate oxygen vacancies and Mo-N bond synergistically modulate charge transfer dynamics of MoO3−x/S-CN for superior photocatalytic disinfection: Unveiling synergistic effects and disinfection mechanism

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2023-03, Vol.445, p.130481, Article 130481
• Main Authors: Yang, Ya-Ya, Niu, Cheng-Gang, Huang, Da-Wei, Guo, Hai, Feng, Hao-Peng, Li, Lu, Liu, Hui-Yun, Fan, Qian-Qian, Qin, Meng-Zhu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Appropriate oxygen vacancies; Authentic water application; Disinfection mechanism; Mo-N bond; Photocatalytic disinfection
• ISSN: 0304-3894
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130481

Highly efficient charge transfer is a critical factor to modulate the photocatalytic activity. However, the conscious modulation of charge transfer efficiency is still a great challenge. Herein, a novel interfacial Mo-N bond and appropriate oxygen vacancies (OVs) modulated S-scheme MoO3−x/S-CN heterojunction was rationally fabricated for efficient photocatalytic disinfection. The results of characterizations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that the enhanced charge transfer dynamics is ascribed to the optimizing oxygen vacancies density and forming interfacial Mo-N bond. It can improve charge transfer efficiency from 36.4% (MoO3−x) to 52.5% (MoO3−x/S-CN) and produce more reactive oxygen species (ROS), achieving entirely inactivate of 7.60-log E. coli and S. aureus within 50 min and 75 min. Besides, MoO3−x/S-CN can well resist the disturbance from the coexisting substances, and can be applied in a wide pH range, and even authentic water bodies. Monitoring of bacterial antioxidant systems and membrane integrity revealed that bacterial inactivation begins with the oxidation of cell membrane and dies from leakage of intracellular substances and destruction of cell structure. This work provides an inspiration on consciously modulating S-scheme charge transfer efficiency by optimizing oxygen vacancies density and atomic-level interface control for promoting the photocatalytic antibacterial activity. [Display omitted] •Sulfur atoms effectively modulate the oxygen defect density in MoO3−x/S-CN.•Appropriate OVs and Mo-N bond synergistically accelerate charge transfer.•Optimum MSCN-2 exhibit excellent disinfection properties for E. coli and S. aureus.•Disinfection study in authentic water verifies environmental application potential.•DFT calculation clarifies charge transfer mechanism in MoO3−x/S-CN heterojunction.