title: Visible-light-driven photocatalytic inactivation of MS2 by metal-free g-C3N4: Virucidal performance and mechanism.
abstract: The challenge to achieve effective water disinfection of pathogens, especially viruses, with minimized harmful disinfection byproducts calls for a cost-effective and environmentally benign technology. Here, polymeric graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), as a metal-free robust photocatalyst, was explored for the first time for its ability to inactivate viruses under visible light irradiation. MS2 with an initial concentration of 1 × 108PFU/mL was completely inactivated by g-C3N4with a loading of 150 mg/L under visible light irradiation of 360 min. g-C3N4was a robust photocatalyst, and no decrease in its virucidal performance was observed over five cycles of sequential MS2 photocatalytic inactivation. The reactive oxygen species (ROSs) were measured by a range of scavengers, and photo-generated electrons and its derived ROSs (O- 2) were found to be the leading contributor for viral inactivation. TEM images indicated that the viral particle shape was distorted and the capsid shell was ruptured after photocatalysis. Viral surface proteins, particularly replicase proteins and maturation proteins, were damaged by photocatalytic oxidation. The loss of proteins would result in the leakage and rapid destruction of interior components (four main types of RNA genes), finally leading to viral death without regrowth. Our work opens a new avenue for the exploration and applications of a low-cost, high-efficient, and robust metal-free photocatalyst for green/sustainable viral disinfection.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development of Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China. Electronic address: envly@hhu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development of Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China.
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St NW Suite 3530, Science and Engineering Hall, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
authors.forename: Danmeng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shuai
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development of Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China.
authors.forename: Saraschandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naraginti
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development of Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China.
authors.forename: Dawei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development of Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Xikang Road #1, Nanjing, 210098, PR China.
authors.forename: Wenlong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D004203:Disinfection; D006108:Graphite; D008027:Light; D008670:Metals
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D006108:Graphite
keywords: Inactivation mechanism; Photocatalysis; Viruses; Visible light; g-C(3)N(4)