AgNPs as efficient co-catalysts significantly improve the photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of NaTaO3 nanofilms

A reusable fixed-state thin film photocatalyst has been developed for the treatment of wastewater. The photocatalytic activity of the AgNPs-NaTaO3 film was found to be excellent, owing to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) behavior of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the high electron transfer rate of NaTaO3. AgNPs (6 nm) are hydrothermally loaded on the surface of NaTaO3, which enhances light absorption and promotes the migration of electrons and holes to accelerate chemical reactions. AgNPs-NaTaO3 synthesized under optimal conditions can degrade 82.5% of methylene blue (MB) within 50 min, exhibiting a 1.33-fold improvement in photocatalytic activity compared to pure NaTaO3. Moreover, this thin film can effectively eliminate bacteria through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and synergistic release of Ag+. The results of the photocatalytic sterilization experiment demonstrate that Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (initial concentration: 6.5 lg CFU/mL) were almost completely eradicated following exposure to light for 50 min. Additionally, we conducted an investigation into the stability of the thin film and potential mechanisms during the photocatalytic process.

Automated summary

A reusable fixed-state thin film photocatalyst has been developed, exhibiting excellent photocatalytic activity and the ability to effectively eliminate bacteria. The high electron transfer rate of NaTaO3, combined with the surface plasmon resonance behavior of AgNPs, enhances the photocatalytic activity of the AgNPs-NaTaO3 film. The thin film can degrade 82.5% of methylene blue within 50 minutes and has a 1.33-fold improvement in photocatalytic activity compared to pure NaTaO3. In addition, it can almost completely eradicate Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli through the generation of reactive oxygen species and synergistic release of Ag+.