High-Performance Photocatalytic Multifunctional Material Based on Bi4Ti3O12-Supported Ag and Ti3C2Tx for Organic Degradation and Antibacterial Applications

With the rapid development of modern science and technology and the diversification of social needs, traditional single-performance materials struggle to meet the complex and changeable application scenarios. To address the multifaceted requirements of biomedical applications, such as disease diagnosis and treatment, scientists are dedicated to developing new multifunctional biomaterials with multiple activities. Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BTO), despite its versatility and application potential, has insufficient photocatalytic performance. Silver nanoparticles (Ag) and Ti₃C₂T_x are particularly effective as antibacterial materials but they have relatively single functions. In this study, BTO/Ag/Ti₃C₂T_x biomultifunctional materials were constructed by combining BTO with Ag and Ti₃C₂T_x. We discovered that the addition of Ag and Ti₃C₂T_x effectively optimized the visible light absorption characteristics of BTO, reduced the electron transfer resistance, and increased the carrier concentration, thus significantly improving the photocatalytic performance of composite material, thereby markedly improving the composite's photocatalytic performance and its efficacy in photochemical sensing and photodegradation. At the same time, BTO, as a carrier, effectively avoids Ag and Ti₃C₂T_x agglomeration and gives full play to its antibacterial properties. In the specific performance studies, ascorbic acid and MB were used as the subjects of photochemical sensing and photodegradation properties, while <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> were tested for antibacterial properties. The BTO/Ag/Ti₃C₂T_x composite showed remarkable results in all assessments, demonstrating its potential as a versatile antibacterial and photocatalytic material.