Z-Scheme TiO2/g-C3N4 for Efficient Antibacterial and Degradation HCHO under Low-Power LED Irradiation

The escalating levels of indoor bacterial contamination and air pollution considerably threaten public health. In this work, we synthesized a three-dimensional flower-like TiO 2 /g-C 3 N 4 nano-powder with a Z-scheme heterojunction structure, which demonstrated superior photocatalytic performance and efficient free radical generation capability, enabling effective mitigation of bacterial pathogens and indoor volatile organic compounds under low-power light irradiation. The material achieved 100% degradation of formaldehyde within 40   minutes under 420   nm LED irradiation. Antibacterial tests showed a 100% inactivation rate for S. aureus within 60   minutes and complete elimination of E. coli within 40   minutes. Characterizations and DFT calculations had confirmed the establishment of the Z-scheme heterojunction, which significantly decreased the band gap and improves the absorption of visible light. Concurrently, the efficient separation of charge carriers and the transfer of electrons facilitated the production of reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, this research presents a novel and environmentally sustainable approach to developing high-performance photocatalysts for applications in indoor environment improvement.