Antibacterial Z-scheme ZnIn2S4/Ag2MoO4 composite photocatalytic nanofibers with enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible light

Considering the biocompatibility of natural proteins and the strong photo-redox capability of Z-scheme heter-ojunctions, we fabricated Z-scheme ZnIn2S4/Ag2MoO4@Zein (Z ZA) photocatalytic membranes via electro-spinning and in-situ precipitation for enrofloxacin (ENR) degradation. Z ZA exhibit a fiber structure wrapped with ZnIn2S4/Ag2MoO4 heterojunctions. Photocatalytic studies and various characterization results certified that the Z-scheme structure between ZnIn2S4 and Ag2MoO4 significantly increases the lifetime and separation effi-ciency of photogenerated carriers, which in turn enhances the photodegradation of ENR. The degradation rate of Z ZA-10 (ZnIn2S4/10 wt% Ag2MoO4@Zein) with the highest catalytic activity could reach 100% within 120 min compared with other samples. For ENR degradation, center dot O2 radicals were certified to be the primary active species by trapping experiments, and several possible conversion pathways of ENR in photocatalytic reactions were proposed. Furthermore, the antibacterial rates of Z ZA-20 (ZnIn2S4/20 wt% Ag2MoO4@Zein) against B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. coli could reach 90.09%, 89.78%, 84.34%, and 95.31%, respectively. Antibacterial evaluations and cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that Z ZA photocatalytic films had desirable antibacterial properties and low cytotoxicity, rendering them safe and effective for use in the treatment of antibiotic wastewater.

Automated summary

In this study, ZnIn2S4/Ag2MoO4@Zein photocatalytic membranes with Z-scheme heterojunctions and biocompatibility of natural proteins were fabricated for the degradation of enrofloxacin. The results showed that the Z-scheme structure significantly increased the lifetime and separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers, thereby enhancing the photodegradation of enrofloxacin. Furthermore, the photocatalytic membranes exhibited desirable antibacterial properties and low cytotoxicity.