Synthesis and photocatalysis of novel Z-scheme CeO2/Ag-AgVO3 heterojunction nanofibers and their efficient antibacterial properties

Z-scheme heterojunction nanofibers are an efficient photocatalyst in water pollution control due to their strong photoredox properties and high separation efficiency. In this study, a highly efficient visible light-driven Z-type CeO2/Ag-AgVO3@zein photocatalytic fiber was synthesized by in-situ co-precipitation and electrospinning. CeO2/Ag-AgVO3@zein with cubic nodular fibers was composed of zein-coated CeO2/Ag-AgVO3 with a clavate spine structure. The composite photocatalysts exhibited improved visible-light photocatalytic activity over ultrafine CeO2 in the degradation of enrofloxacin pollutants. Through electrochemical tests and the optical properties of as-prepared photocatalysts, the enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to formation of the Z-scheme photocatalytic system. CeO2/Ag-AgVO3@zein also displayed excellent disinfectant and antibacterial efficacy of over 80% against Gram-positive/Gram-negative bacteria, resulting from the actions of CeO2/Ag-AgVO3-triggered ROS. Besides, the results of in-vitro and in-vivo experiments showed that CeO2/Ag-AgVO3@zein had good cytocompatibility. Accordingly, CeO2/Ag-AgVO3@zein has been identified as a promising photocatalyst for treatment of pharmaceutical industry wastewater. [Display omitted] •A recyclable CeO2/Ag-AgVO3@zein photocatalytic nanofiber was constructed.•Z-Scheme electron transport accounts for the stable oxidizing capacity of AgVO3 and protecting AgVO3 from photo-corrosion.•Antibacterial activity and biocompatibility of CeO2/Ag-AgVO3@zein in vitro and in vivo were studied.•In this protocol, wastewater pollution and antimicrobial disinfection wereachieved.