Nanoscale photocatalysts have attracted abundant research attention in the solar-activated disinfection. In this work, we find that solar irradiation significantly improves the antimicrobial activity of graphene quantum dots (GQDs), accompanied by severe oxidative stress and membrane damage. By using electron spin resonance (ESR) technique, we confirm that different reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen (1O2), hydroxyl radical (•OH), and superoxide anion (O2•-) were generated by GQDs upon irradiation with simulated sunlight. Additionally, these generated ROS will further facilitate lipid peroxidation of cell membrane and suppress bacterial antioxidant systems, enhancing the phototoxicity of GQDs. These findings will bring major advancements of GQDs in applications of solar-driven bacterial disinfection.
Keyphrases
- reactive oxygen species
- quantum dots
- energy transfer
- oxidative stress
- drinking water
- room temperature
- dna damage
- sensitive detection
- cell death
- diabetic rats
- fatty acid
- working memory
- induced apoptosis
- estrogen receptor
- carbon nanotubes
- early onset
- signaling pathway
- anti inflammatory
- atomic force microscopy
- visible light