Preparation of Ga0.25Zn4.67S5.08 Microsphere by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis and Its Photocatalytic Disinfection Performance under Visible Light

Abstract

The Ga0.25Zn4.67S5.08 catalysts were prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis with thiourea as a precursor. The crystal structure, optical properties, specific surface area, chemical composition, surface morphology, and internal structure of the prepared samples were characterized by XRD, UV-Vis DRS, BET, XPS, SEM, and TEM, respectively. The disinfection performance and the main active species of the synthesized catalysts under visible light irradiation were investigated with E. coli K12. The study results indicate that Ga0.25Zn4.67S5.08 prepared at 400°C exhibited the best antibacterial performance with complete kill of E. coli K12 within 4 h. The antibacterial performance of the prepared sample is also higher than that prepared by the hydrothermal method. The result of the radical trapping experiment indicates that the photogenerated holes play a dominant role in the disinfection process.