Biosafe Bi2O2Se ultrathin nanosheet for water disinfection via solar-induced photothermal synergistic effect

Xiaoyang Mu; Chao Li; Li Wang; Rumeng Zhang; Yingping Huang; Xiang Yu; Po Keung Wong; Liqun Ye

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129808

Biosafe Bi₂O₂Se ultrathin nanosheet for water disinfection via solar-induced photothermal synergistic effect

J Hazard Mater. 2022 Oct 15:440:129808. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129808. Epub 2022 Aug 23.

Authors

Xiaoyang Mu¹, Chao Li¹, Li Wang², Rumeng Zhang¹, Yingping Huang³, Xiang Yu⁴, Po Keung Wong⁵, Liqun Ye⁶

Affiliations

¹ College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China.
² Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China.
³ Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China. Electronic address: yingpinghuang@126.com.
⁴ Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China.
⁵ School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, China.
⁶ College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Crystalline and Energy Conversion Materials, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China; Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China; Hubei Three Gorges Laboratory, 443007 Yichang, China. Electronic address: lqye@ctgu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36029733
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129808

Abstract

Solar-induced sterilization via photothermal synergy has attracted enormous attention due to its zero-energy consumption and the elimination of hazardous chemical disinfectant. Herein, we successfully synthesized a super biosafety Bi₂O₂Se with crossed nanosheet structure (Bi₂O₂Se-CN) for the sterilization of Escherichia coli (E. coli) via solar-induced photothermal synergistic effect. In comparison to bulk Bi₂O₂Se, the lower light reflection and more efficient photogenerated charge carrier separation under visible-infrared light irradiation resulted in the excellent sterilization effect of Bi₂O₂Se-CN, with a sterilization efficiency of 99.9% under the synergistic effect of light and heat. The crossed ultrathin nanosheet structure and suitable band gap width of Bi₂O₂Se-CN are fundamental reasons for its enhanced light absorption and charge carrier separation efficiency. Mechanistic studies showed that Bi₂O₂Se-CN can completely inactivate bacteria via generating a large amount of reactive oxygen species (•O₂^-, •OH, and ¹O₂) to attack the cell membrane, which further resulted in the reduced activity of intracellular enzymes and the leakage of intracellular contents. The biosafety property of Bi₂O₂Se-CN was confirmed by in vivo toxicological evaluation on the mice model. This work provided new ideas for the design of more efficient, energy-saving, biocompatible and environmental friendly solar water purification projects.

Keywords: Bi(2)O(2)Se; Biosecurity; Escherichia coli; Photothermal synergy; Sterilization.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Containment of Biohazards
Disinfectants*
Disinfection* / methods
Escherichia coli / radiation effects
Hazardous Substances
Mice
Reactive Oxygen Species
Water

Substances

Disinfectants
Hazardous Substances
Reactive Oxygen Species
Water