Efficient Z-scheme visible-light-driven photocatalytic bacterial inactivation by hierarchical MoS₂-encapsulated hydrothermal carbonation carbon core-shell nanospheres

A MoS₂-encapsulated hydrothermal carbonation carbon (HTCC@MoS₂) heterojunction was constructed via a one-pot route. The HTCC@MoS₂ nanospheres could efficiently inactivate 7-log bacterial cells within 50 min. Notably, as a metal-free material, pure HTCC nanostructures fabricated in this work also showed desirable photocatalytic activity. The continuously produced reactive species, especially ˙O₂ radicals, caused significant damage of bacterial cell membrane. The unique Z-scheme mode remarkably promoted the electron transfer and charge separation in the HTCC@MoS₂ composite. This work not only developed a novel strategy for the direct conversion of carbohydrates to metal-free and photocatalytically active HTCC semiconductor, but also provided a promising HTCC@MoS₂ heterojunction for cost-effective water disinfection.