An UV to NIR-driven platform based on red phosphorus/graphene oxide film for rapid microbial inactivation

The problem of bacterial infection is getting worse. Photo-driven disinfection is an effective solution with the perspective of energy consumption. However, the current researches focus on expanding the utilization of light energy from ultraviolet to visible light, while the infrared portion of sunlight has not been considered. Thus, it is desirable to develop novel materials, with a broader solar spectrum utilization, for rapid microbial inactivation. Here we show a crystalline phosphorus film consist of irregular pyramids covered by graphene oxide with an enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. The metal-free film exhibits broad absorption throughout the solar spectrum with good photocatalytic and photothermal properties. With the synergy of photodynamic and photothermal effects, the composite exhibited inactivation of about 99.9% on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli within 20 min of simulated sunlight irradiation. Meanwhile, well disinfection were also exhibited under visible and 808 nm light. By the way, good biocompatibility, along with excellent biofilm removal under LED light, provided the film a prospect in disinfection of medical devices.