The enhanced photocatalytic inactivation of marine microorganisms over ZnO supported Ag quantum dots by the synthesis of H2O2.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Zhang, Chenglin; Zhou, Feng; Zhan, Su; Song, Yupeng; Wang, Fengguang; Lai, Jianfu
- Source
- Environmental Research. Jun2021, Vol. 197, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
- Subject
- *QUANTUM dot synthesis
*SILVER phosphates
*MARINE microorganisms
*ZINC oxide
*MICROBIAL inactivation
*QUANTUM dots
- Language
- ISSN
- 0013-9351
The production of hydroxyl radicals has been demonstrated to improve the antifouling of marine through a photocatalytic strategy. However, only relying on the valence band of the photocatalyst to generate hydroxyl radicals is inefficient and limits the application of photocatalytic technology in the field of marine-antifouling coatings. Herein, we reported a new strategy in which Ag quantum dots are used to synthesize hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) by photocatalysis in seawater. The decomposition of the generated H 2 O 2 to hydroxyl radicals improves the antifouling ability. Interestingly, the prominent size effect of Ag quantum dots is closely related to the yield of H 2 O 2. We synthesized Ag quantum dots supported on ZnO and found that Ag quantum dots approximately 4 nm in size have the highest activity for H 2 O 2 generation and undergo a 1 h photocatalytic reaction in which the concentration of H 2 O 2 can reach 124 μg/mL. The efficiency of ZnO in inactivating marine microorganisms increased from 72.3% to 99.4% in seawater. The synthesis of H 2 O 2 through photocatalysis based on the medium of seawater can expand the application of photocatalytic technology in the field of marine antifouling. • The size effect of AgQDs significantly influences the performance of photocatalysts. • AgQDs with 4 nm performed the excellent ability to synthesize H 2 O 2. • The concentration of 200AgQDs in which the size of AgQDs is 4 nm performed optimal sterilization performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]