Mg2TiO4 spinel modified by nitrogen doping as a Visible-Light-Active photocatalyst for antibacterial activity

Shufang Chang; Yiwen Hu; Jun Qian; Yinlin Shao; Shuang Ni; Lulu Kong; Wenyan Dan; Chun Luo; Shu Jin; Xiaoxiang Xu

doi:10.1016/j.cej.2021.128410

Mg₂TiO₄ spinel modified by nitrogen doping as a Visible-Light-Active photocatalyst for antibacterial activity

Chem Eng J. 2021 Apr 15:410:128410. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.128410. Epub 2021 Jan 6.

Authors

Shufang Chang¹, Yiwen Hu¹, Jun Qian¹, Yinlin Shao¹, Shuang Ni², Lulu Kong¹, Wenyan Dan¹, Chun Luo¹, Shu Jin¹, Xiaoxiang Xu¹

Affiliations

¹ Clinical and Central Lab, Putuo People's Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
² Science and Technology on Plasma Physics Laboratory, Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China.

Abstract

Nitrogen doped Mg₂TiO₄ spinel, i.e. Mg₂TiO_4-xN_y, has been synthesized and investigated as a photocatalyst for antibacterial activity. Mg₂TiO_4-xN_y demonstrates superior photocatalytic activity for E. coli disinfection under visible light illumination (λ ≥ 400 nm). Complete disinfection of E. coli at a bacterial cell density of 1.0 × 10⁷ CFU mL^-1 can be achieved within merely 60 min. Mg₂TiO_4-xN_y is capable of generating superoxide radicals (^•O₂ ^-) under visible light illumination which are the reactive oxygen species (ROSs) for bacteria disinfection. DFT calculations have verified the importance of nitrogen dopants in improving the visible light sensitivity of Mg₂TiO_4-xN_y. The facile synthesis, low cost, good biocompatibility and high disinfection activity of Mg₂TiO_4-xN_y warrant promising applications in the field of water purification and antibacterial products.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity; Mg2TiO4; Nitrogen doping; Photocatalyst; Visible light.