Eco-friendly Hybrids of Carbon Quantum Dots Modified MoS2 for Rapid Microbial Inactivation by Strengthened Photocatalysis

Bacteria are widespread in the environment, and antibiotics are usually used in large doses to kill the bacteria, which consequently leads to the appearance of drug-resistance bacteria. As a result, the development of new and non-antibiotic antibacterial material is in urgent need. Herein, the molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheet, which shows photocatalytic and photothermal properties, was modified with N-doping carbon quantum dots (CQDs). The CQDs could transport the photogenerated electrons produced by MoS2 nanosheets, preventing the recombination of electrons and holes, resulting in a much higher photocatalytic property. Because of the enhanced photocatalytic properties, these MoS2/CQDs hybrids could kill bacteria highly effectively, with antibacterial ratios of 99.38 and 99.99% against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. Meanwhile, the hybrids exhibit good biocompatibility, which can prevent the potential side effect to both human and environment. Furthermore, through a simple spin-coating method, the MoS2/CQDs hybrids could also form a coating on the basement, e.g., Ti, and act as an antibacterial coating to prevent bacterial infection.