Directionally Designed Double Z‐Scheme Heterojunction: BiOBr and Carbon Dots‐Reduced TiO <sub>2−x</sub> for Targeted Photocarriers Separation in Photocatalytic Sterilization
TiO<sub>2</sub> photocatalysis holds promise for sterilization but faces limitations in rapid charge recombination, UV-restricted activity, and pathogen electrostatic repulsion. Herein, a directionally designed double direct Z-scheme BiOBr@CDs-TiO<sub>2-</sub> <sub>x</sub> heterojunction is constructed, in which defective BiOBr microspheres core with dominant (110) facets exhibiting photochromism via hole trapping is synergistically integrated with carbon dots (CDs)-modified TiO<sub>2-</sub> <sub>x</sub> shell. Amine-functionalized CDs simultaneously reduce and dope TiO<sub>2-</sub> <sub>x</sub>, thereby generating oxygen vacancies and enhancing positive surface charges. By leveraging BiOBr's hole-trapping affinity and CDs' electron-transmitting capability, BiOBr@CDs-TiO<sub>2-</sub> <sub>x</sub> achieves spatial charge separation via a double Z-scheme mechanism. This system eradicates 99.9% of Escherichia coli (5 × 10<sup>8</sup> CFU mL<sup>-1</sup>), Staphylococcus aureus (2 × 10<sup>8</sup> CFU mL<sup>-1</sup>), and Candida albicans (1 × 10<sup>8</sup> CFU mL<sup>-1</sup>) in 1 h, concomitantly achieving biofilm clearance and pollutant degradation under visible light. The work pioneers CDs' novel application in constructing oxygen vacancies of TiO<sub>2-</sub> <sub>x</sub> and establishes a carrier-affinity-driven paradigm for directional heterojunction design.
Authors
- Shuyuan Zhou
- Lei Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7275-4846)
- Xiaoying Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9303-6509)
- Junqin You
- Shurui Cong
Institutions
- National Institute for Radiological Protection (CN)
- South China University of Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Small
- Published
- 2025-08-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202505905
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.45