In situ growth of photocatalytic Ag-decorated β-Bi2O3/Bi2O2.7 heterostructure film on PVC polymer matrices with self-cleaning and antibacterial properties

[Display omitted] •A novel β-Bi2O3/Bi2O2.7 heterostructure film was fabricated on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by hydrothermal method for the first time.•The Ag-decorated heterostructure film coated PVC shows not only antibacterial properties, but also self-cleaning properties.•The Ag-decorated heterostructure film shows hydrophobicity and Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation.•The Ag-decorated heterostructure film can kill and prevent Escherichia coli (E. coli) from adhering. Polymer materials with strong bactericidal properties by impregnating or complexing antibacterial agents were used in daily life. However, based on polymer matrices, the simultaneous acquisition of more environmentally and friendly self-cleaning and sterilization properties may be more beneficial to human health. Herein, a petal-like network photocatalytic β-Bi2O3/Bi2O2.7 heterostructure film with a thickness of ca 0.81 μm was gradually formed layer upon layer on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer matrices through one-step hydrothermal process for the first time, and decorated Ag nanoparticles as co-catalyst. The Ag-decorated β-Bi2O3/Bi2O2.7 heterostructure film showed hydrophobicity, degradation of 97% Rhodamine B (RhB) in 150 min, inactivation of > 99.99% Escherichia coli (E.coli) in 18 h, and E.coli anti-adhesion performance. The photocatalytic properties were mainly ascribed to the generation of ·O2− and h+ due to the synergistic effects of petal-like hierarchical microstructure, good interface quality and accelerated carriers separation among β-Bi2O3, Bi2O2.7 and Ag particles. Furthermore, it was found that the grown of the bismuth oxide film on polymer matrices in the hydrothermal environment was selective to the types of polymer matrices. Our design can provide a reference to construct other photoactive functional films on polymer matrices and further collaborative applications and have the potential application prospects in the building and medical field.