Boron- and phenyl-codoped graphitic carbon nitride with greatly enhanced light responsive range for photocatalytic disinfection.

The development of metal-free photocatalyst to make maximum use of the solar energy for photocatalytic disinfection is highly desired. Herein, boron-and phenyl-codoped graphitic carbon nitride was prepared by thermal polycondensation of cyanamide with 3-aminobenzeneboronic acid and applied as photocatalyst to inactivate Escherichia coli (E. coli). The photocatalysts exhibited the enhanced light responsive range over ultraviolet to near infrared light and 99.9% bacteria could be inactivated within 3 h with a low concentration of photocatalyst under the irradiation of simulated solar light. The disinfection mechanism was studied by scavenger experiments, indicating H2O2 was the main reactive species for the inactivation of bacteria. Finally, the photocatalyst was deposited on the surface of solid material and also exhibited strong disinfection performance. Taking advantage of excellent disinfection activity and low cytotoxicity, the photocatalyst showed a promising application in solar-driven photocatalytic disinfection in public place.