Bactericidal activity and mechanism of AgI/AgBr/BiOBr(0.75)I(0.25) under visible light irradiation

The AgI/AgBr/BiOBr0.75I0.25 nanocomposites were synthesized by a solvothermal process, followed by an in-situ ion exchange reaction. The disinfection activities of the as-synthesized photocatalyst to model cell type, Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli), were investigated under visible light irradiation condition (λ≥400 nm). Results showed that 80 mg/L AgI/AgBr/BiOBr0.75I0.25 could completely inactivate 3×10(7) CFU mL(-1)E. coli cells within 30 min under visible light irradiation. Moreover, the bactericidal mechanisms involved in the photocatalytic disinfection process were systematically investigated. Ag(+) ions released from the nanocomposites negligibly contributed to the bactericidal activity, while active species including h(+), e(-) and ·O2(-) played important roles in the disinfection system. Direct contact of bacterial cells and nanoparticles was found to be the prerequisite for both the generation of ·O2(-) and the disinfection processes. The disruption of cell membrane and emission of cytoplasm directly inactivated E. coli cells. In addition, AgI/AgBr/BiOBr0.75I0.25 exhibited strong antibacterial activity toward E. coli even in four consecutive reused cycles.