Enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic bacteria disinfection by g-C₃N₄-AgBr

g-C₃N₄-AgBr was synthesized by depositing AgBr nanoparticles onto g-C₃N₄. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and Photoluminescence (PL) spectra were employed to characterize the as-synthesized photocatalysts. The disinfection activities towards representative Gram-negative strain E. coli and Gram-positive strain S. aureus were examined under visible light irradiation. Complete inactivation of 3×10⁶CFU/mL viable cell density was reached in 60min for E. coli and 150min for S. aureus, respectively. Ag⁺ released from the photocatalysts did not contribute to the photocatalytic disinfection process. Direct contact of g-C₃N₄-AgBr composites and bacterial cells, as well as the presence of O₂ was indispensable for the cell inactivation. Photo-generated holes, surface bounded OH, and indirect generation of intracellular active species played important roles in disinfection process of g-C₃N₄-AgBr under visible light irradiation. The disruption of outside structure of cells as well as inner cell injury led to the inactivation. High pH condition led to increasing the cell disinfection due to the generation of surface bounded OH.