Optimizing the Au particle doping size for enhanced photocatalytic disinfection under low-intensity visible light
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Here, we present the effect of 1.2–9.9 nm Au particles on crystal violet-treated polymer under a low intensity of visible light. The use of Au particles ≤ 6.3 nm promoted charge carrier transfer from crystal violet to Au particles. Photospectroscopy analyses and DFT computations revealed that a change in the electronic band structure caused by the size reduction of the particle altered the charge carrier transfer pathway in crystal violet. Especially for crystal violet─1.2 nm Au particles, charge carrier transfer predominantly occurs at the S1 of crystal violet because the T1 state lacks sufficient potential energy for transfer. 1.2 nm Au particles on crystal violet not only most significantly enhanced the generation of O2•–, H2O2, and •OH by minimizing unnecessary side reactions or energy loss but also showed the most potent disinfection activity against Staphylococcus aureus, even at low visible light flux levels (0.037–0.054 mW cm–2), which resulted in a 5.3 log reduction in viable bacteria after 6 h exposure to visible light. This finding provides fundamental insights into the Au effect as a cocatalyst in photocatalysts and the development of light-activated self-sterilizing surfaces that can be applied to various hospital surfaces to prevent the spread of pathogens, which remains a global challenge.
Date Issued
2025-08-05
Date Acceptance
2025-07-09
Citation
ACS Nano, 2025, 19 (30), pp.27740-27753
ISSN
1936-0851
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
27740
End Page
27753
Journal / Book Title
ACS Nano
Volume
19
Issue
30
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society. This publication is licensed under CC-BY 4.0
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40704641
Subjects
ACINETOBACTER-BAUMANNII COMPLEX
ACTIVATED ANTIMICROBIAL SURFACES
ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES
bacteria
charge carrier
Chemistry
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry, Physical
CITRATE
CRYSTAL VIOLET
disinfection
ELECTRON-TRANSFER
FILMS
gold nanocluster
gold nanoparticles
GOLD NANOPARTICLES
HOSPITAL ROOMS
Materials Science
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
OXYGEN
photocatalyst
photoexcitation
Physical Sciences
Science & Technology
Science & Technology - Other Topics
Technology
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Date Publish Online
2025-07-24