Photocatalysts as long-lasting, benign reagents for disinfection of bacteria in hospitals and public areas/facilities/transportation vehicles are strongly needed. A common limitation for all existing semiconductor photocatalysts is the requirement of activation by external UV-vis-near-infrared (NIR) light with wavelengths shorter than ≈1265 nm. None of the existing photocatalysts can function during nighttime in the absence of external light. Herein, an unprecedented LaB6 plasmonic photocatalyst is reported, which can absorb UV-vis-NIR light and mid-IR (3900 nm) light to split water and generate hydrogen and hydroxyl radicals for the decomposition of organic pollutants, as well as kill multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli bacteria. Mid-IR light (≈2-50 µm) is readily available from the natural environments via thermal radiation of warm/hot objects on the earth including human bodies, animals, furnances, hot/warm electrical devices, and buildings.
Keywords: LaB6 nanoparticles; mid-infrared photocatalyst; multidrug resistant bacteria; photo disinfection; thermal radiation photocatalyst.
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