Unique BiFeO3/g-C3N4 mushroom heterojunction with photocatalytic antibacterial and wound therapeutic activity

Abstract

Bacterial infections have become a major problem threatening public health, and it is of great significance to treat wound infections in biological systems caused by bacteria. However, traditionally used bacteriostatic agents usually cause additional pollution. Herein a mushroom-shaped clean and Green BiFeO₃/g-C₃N₄ composite is employed for the first time for photocatalytic antibacterial activity and for the further promotion of wound healing. The ratio between BiFeO₃ and g-C₃N₄ was delicately regulated to control the generated amount of ˙OH and ˙O₂⁻ by catalyzing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) under illumination. Results show that 10%BFO/CN demonstrates the best performance for ˙OH and ˙O₂⁻ production, resulting in the highest antibacterial ability against E. coli and S. aureus. In addition, the catalytic mechanism of BiFeO₃/g-C₃N₄ towards antibacterial activity is disclosed by a combination of ESR monitoring and analysis of the Mott–Schottky diagram. Furthermore, in vivo experiments prove that 10%BFO/CN can effectively promote anti-infection and wound healing in nude mice. This work sheds deep scientific insight on the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and photo-Fenton degradation as well as their application in antibacterial and wound therapeutic activity.