Three-Dimensional TiO2@CeO2 Core-Shell Array Material for Efficient Water Disinfection

Photocatalytic disinfection is a low-cost, efficient, and sustainable technology, particularly suitable for underdeveloped regions. However, its practical application is limited by severe electron-hole recombination, which reduces photocatalytic efficiency, and the poor reusability of powdered catalysts. Although heterojunction design and catalyst immobilization have been employed to address carrier recombination and recyclability, respectively, these two bottlenecks have not yet been simultaneously resolved. In this study, a reusable three-dimensional core-shell array architecture was constructed on a carbon fiber support based on catalyst morphology and disinfection mechanism considerations. The resulting core-shell heterostructure exhibited inactivation indices 2.2 and 2.5 times higher than those of the P25-loaded film and the pristine TiO2 array structure, respectively.