The photothermal synergy effect of pure Ti3C2Tx in antibacterial reaction and its mechanism

As an efficient green water disinfection technology, photothermal synergy sterilization has been paid more attention in recent years with its immeasurable advantages. The development of photocatalysts for efficient sterilization is currently an urgent need. In this manuscript, pure Ti3C2Tx is first studied as a photothermal synergy sterilization material and shows an excellent sterilization effect. The sterilization rate of Escherichia coli (E. coli) reaches 99.9% under visible infrared (vis-IR) light for 40 minutes. The peeling of the Al layer from Ti3AlC2 is the fundamental reason for improving the photothermal conversion ability, and photogenerated free radicals have also proved to be improved. The dilution spreading plate method, enzyme activity test, and leakage of cell contents confirmed the complete death of bacteria. Two aspects, photogenerated free radicals and photothermal synergy, were carried to illuminate the mechanism.