Photocatalytic antibacterial anti-fouling technology, known for its environmentally friendly characteristics, is gaining increasing recognition for its application potential. However, the activity of single photocatalytic materials is limited by the low efficiency of charge carrier separation.
Recently, the research team led by Prof. ZHANG Jie from the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) has made new progress in improving the photocatalytic antibacterial activity of Mn, Sv co-doped ZnIn2S4 (ZIS), which was prepared by a novel Ov-rich α-MnO2 decomposition approach.
The study was published in Journal ofMaterials Chemistry A on May. 13.
The researchers innovatively employed a solid-state α-MnO2 decomposition method with abundant oxygen vacancies, successfully synthesizing Mn, Sv co-doped ZIS materials. The results demonstrate that solid-state decomposition doping can slowly release Mn elements, allowing them to be more evenly incorporated into the ZIS lattice. Additionally, solid-state decomposition doping enhances the degradation and antibacterial activity of ZIS more effectively compared to traditional inorganic Mn source doping.
Kelvin scanning probe microscopy and density functional theory analyses reveal that the solid-state α-MnO2 decomposition doping of ZIS results in a reduced work function, which helps lower the energy barrier for photoelectrons migrating to the surface. The formation of S-Mn covalent bonds further facilitates the surface migration of photoelectrons, while the increased S vacancy content hinders the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers.
Solid-state decomposition doping can slowly release the dopant elements, resulting in more uniform doping. The Mn and Sv co-doped ZIS prepared by this method incorporates multiple strategies to enhance its photocatalytic activity.
"In the future, further analysis of the factors influencing solid-state decomposition will be conducted to achieve more precise doping," said ZHANG Hui, the first author of the study.
Analysis of the antibacterial performance and mechanism of enhancement of solid-state α-MnO2 decomposition doping in ZIS. (Image by IOCAS)
Hui Zhang, Jie Zhang*, Zeyu Zuo, Ruiyong Zhang*, Mengmeng Sun*, Jizhou Duan, Wolfgand Sand, Bo Xiao, Baorong Hou. (2025). Improvement of photocatalytic antibacterial action of Mn, Sv-co-doped ZnIn2S4 prepared from a novel Ov-rich α-MnO2 decomposition. Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
(Text by ZHANG Hui)
Media Contact:
ZHANG Yiyi
Institute of Oceanology
E-mail: zhangyiyi@qdio.ac.cn
(Editor: ZHANG Yiyi)