ZnFe-layered double oxide/MoS2 coated waste cotton fabric with visible-light photocatalytic/photothermal functionality for water purification

In this work, ZnFe-layered double oxide/MoS 2 (ZnFe-LDO/MoS 2 ) composite was successfully synthesized and applied as a photocatalytic coating immobilizing on polydopamine (PDA)-modified waste cotton fabric (CF) through a mussel-inspired catechol-amine reaction. The resulting ZnFe-LDO/MoS 2 @CF exhibited outstanding photoelectric and photothermal properties, rendering it highly suitable for water purification applications under visible light irradiation. The fabricated ZnFe-LDO/MoS 2 @CF demonstrated great potential in photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and exhibited photocatalytic antibacterial effects. Compared to fabrics coated with bare ZnFe-LDH and ZnFe-LDO, ZnFe-LDO/MoS 2 @CF showed superior methylene blue (MB) photodegradation performance. LC-MS analysis was conducted to identify intermediate products for MB degradation. Furthermore, ZnFe-LDO/MoS 2 @CF achieved nearly 100 % sterilization efficiency against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under visible light ascribed to the synergistic effects of photothermal and photodynamic mechanisms. Impressively, the fabric maintained its MB removal efficiency over multiple reuse cycles and retained its sterilization potency even after repeated washing, highlighting its exceptional reusability and coating stability. The combination of ZnFe-LDO and MoS 2 , with their complementary Z -scheme band structure, effectively expanded light absorption capacity and enhanced charge separation, significantly improving photocatalysis and photothermal performance. This research highlights the potential of ZnFe-LDO/MoS 2 @CF for water purification and sterilization, making it a promising candidate for complex wastewater treatment and multifunctional textile development.