ZnCo2O4-ZnO S-Scheme Heterojunction for Photocatalytic Degradation of Cefalexin and Antimicrobial Properties

doi:10.1007/s40242-025-5089-6

高等学校化学研究 ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (4): 799-811.doi: 10.1007/s40242-025-5089-6

ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO S-Scheme Heterojunction for Photocatalytic Degradation of Cefalexin and Antimicrobial Properties

LU Junyu¹, LU Yunshu², Pitcheri ROSAIAH³, LIN Shu¹, Zada AMIR^4,5, QI Kezhen¹

1. College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Dali 671000, P. R. China;
2. School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo 315211, P. R. China;
3. Department of Physics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai, 602105, India;
4. Department of Chemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 23200, Pakistan;
5. UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria 0002, South Africa

收稿日期:2025-05-09 接受日期:2025-06-18 出版日期:2025-08-01 发布日期:2025-07-24
通讯作者: LIN Shu,linshu@dali.edu.cn;Zada AMIR,amirzada@awkum.edu.pk;QI Kezhen,qkzh2003@aliyun.com E-mail:linshu@dali.edu.cn;amirzada@awkum.edu.pk;qkzh2003@aliyun.com
基金资助:
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.52272287) and the Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects, China (No. 202305AF150116).

ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO S-Scheme Heterojunction for Photocatalytic Degradation of Cefalexin and Antimicrobial Properties

LU Junyu¹, LU Yunshu², Pitcheri ROSAIAH³, LIN Shu¹, Zada AMIR^4,5, QI Kezhen¹

1. College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Dali 671000, P. R. China;
2. School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo 315211, P. R. China;
3. Department of Physics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Thandalam, Chennai, 602105, India;
4. Department of Chemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 23200, Pakistan;
5. UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria 0002, South Africa

Received:2025-05-09 Accepted:2025-06-18 Online:2025-08-01 Published:2025-07-24
Supported by:
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.52272287) and the Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects, China (No. 202305AF150116).

摘要/Abstract

摘要： To identify an efficient photocatalyst for the removal of Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination, ZnO was sythesized via a hydrothermal method. A series of nanocomposites with varying mass ratios (ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO) was fabricated by anchoring ZnCo₂O₄ onto ZnO using an in-situ growth technique, with the objective of enhancing ZnO's photocatalytic performance. The resulting S-scheme heterojunction ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO materials were systematically characterized for their crystalline structures and photoelectrochemical properties, and evaluated for their of E. coli inactivation efficiency under visible light irradiation. The synthesized ZnO exhibited a hexagonal zincite phase, whereas ZnCo₂O₄ was confirmed to be a spinel phase. The enhanced light absorption and charge carrier transfer efficiency of ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO contributed to superior photocatalytic activity. The influence of the mass ratio of ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO on the antimicrobial performance was thoroughly investigated. At an optimal mass ratio of ZnCo₂O₄:ZnO=1:20, a maximum E. coli inhibition efficiency of 92.64% was achieved. Moreover, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of cefalexin (CEX) using 10 mg of 5%ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO reached 61.13%, representing a 43.97% improvement over the 17.16% degradation achieved with pristine ZnO. These findings demonstrated that the ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO composite exhibits markedly enhanced photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity compared to ZnO.

关键词: ZnO, ZnCo₂O₄, Photocatalysis, Antibacterial activity, Cephalexin (CEX) degradation

Abstract: To identify an efficient photocatalyst for the removal of Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination, ZnO was sythesized via a hydrothermal method. A series of nanocomposites with varying mass ratios (ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO) was fabricated by anchoring ZnCo₂O₄ onto ZnO using an in-situ growth technique, with the objective of enhancing ZnO's photocatalytic performance. The resulting S-scheme heterojunction ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO materials were systematically characterized for their crystalline structures and photoelectrochemical properties, and evaluated for their of E. coli inactivation efficiency under visible light irradiation. The synthesized ZnO exhibited a hexagonal zincite phase, whereas ZnCo₂O₄ was confirmed to be a spinel phase. The enhanced light absorption and charge carrier transfer efficiency of ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO contributed to superior photocatalytic activity. The influence of the mass ratio of ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO on the antimicrobial performance was thoroughly investigated. At an optimal mass ratio of ZnCo₂O₄:ZnO=1:20, a maximum E. coli inhibition efficiency of 92.64% was achieved. Moreover, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of cefalexin (CEX) using 10 mg of 5%ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO reached 61.13%, representing a 43.97% improvement over the 17.16% degradation achieved with pristine ZnO. These findings demonstrated that the ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO composite exhibits markedly enhanced photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity compared to ZnO.

Key words: ZnO, ZnCo₂O₄, Photocatalysis, Antibacterial activity, Cephalexin (CEX) degradation

LU Junyu, LU Yunshu, Pitcheri ROSAIAH, LIN Shu, Zada AMIR, QI Kezhen. ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO S-Scheme Heterojunction for Photocatalytic Degradation of Cefalexin and Antimicrobial Properties[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(4): 799-811.

参考文献

[1] Liu F., Kang T., Han B., Zhang Q., Yin Y., Cai Y., Chem. Res. Chinese Universities, 2023, 39, 361.
[2] Zhang J., Shao C., Lei Z., Li Y., Bai H., Zhang L., Ren G., Wang X., J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2024, 194, 124.
[3] MacLean R. C., San Millan A., Science, 2019, 365, 1082.
[4] Li S., Rong K., Wang X., Shen C., Yang F., Zhang Q., Acta Phys.-Chim. Sin., 2024, 40, 2403005.
[5] Wang Y., Zhou G., Xu Y., Cheng Y., Song M., Jin J., Liu X., Lu Z., Chem. Res. Chinese Universities, 2025, 41, 741.
[6] Zhou S., Li P., Zhang C., Wang Y., Dong G., Jia R., Chem. Res. Chinese Universities, 2025, 41, 583.
[7] Fu C., Li D., Zhang J., Guo W., Yang H., Zhao B., Chen Z., Fu X., Liang Z., Jiang L., Chem. Res. Chinese Universities, 2023, 39, 891.
[8] Lee S., Devarayapalli K. C., Kim B., Lim Y., Lee D. S., J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2024, 198, 186.
[9] Cai J., Li X., Su B., Guo B., Lin X., Xing W., Lu X. F., Wang S., J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2025, 234, 82.
[10] You C., Wang C., Cai M., Liu Y., Zhu B., Li S., Acta Phys.-Chim. Sin., 2024, 40, 2407014.
[11] Xu M., Li Z., Shen R., Zhang X., Zhang Z., Zhang P., Li X., Chin. J. Catal., 2025, 70, 431.
[12] Qi B., Shen R., Ren Z., Teng Y., Ding H., Zhang X., Zhang Y., Hao L., Li X., J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2025, 232, 65.
[13] Gao R., Shen R., Huang C., Huang K., Liang G., Zhang P., Li X., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2025, 64, e202414229.
[14] Jiang Z., Long Q., Cheng B., He R., Wang L., J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2023, 162, 1.
[15] Chen C., Zhang J., Chu H., Sun L., Dawson G., Dai K., Chin. J. Catal., 2024, 63, 81.
[16] Wei Q., Li W., Jin C., Chen Y., Hou L., Wu Z., Pan Z., He Q., Wang Y., Tang D., J. Rare Earths, 2022, 40, 595.
[17] Cai M., Liu Y., Dong K., Chen X., Li S., Chin. J. Catal., 2023, 52, 239.
[18] Li S., You C., Xue Q., Zhao Y., Yang F., Liu Y., Bai L., Zhang M., Zhuang C., J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2025, 214, 255.
[19] Zhang J., Wang X., Suo X., Liu X., Liu B., Yuan M., Wang G., Liang C., Shi H., ACS Nano, 2019, 13, 2004.
[20] Ren C. Y., Bai R., Chen W., Li J. P., Zhou X. D., Tian X. C., Zhao F., Chem. Res. Chinese Universities, 2023, 39, 389.
[21] Wang J., Wang Z., Dai K., Zhang J., J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2023, 165, 187.
[22] Wu X., Chen G., Li L., Wang J., Wang G., J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2023, 167, 184.
[23] Zhang K., Li Y., Yuan S., Zhang L., Wang Q., Acta Phys. Chim. Sin., 2023, 39, 2212010.
[24] Wang Z., Liu Y., Huang B., Dai Y., Lou Z., Wang G., Zhang X., Qin X., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 2758.
[25] Wang Z. L., Mater. Today, 2004, 7, 26.
[26] Li J., Wu N., Catal. Sci. Technol., 2015, 5, 1360.
[27] Ahmad M., Ahmed E., Zafar F., Khalid N., Niaz N., Hafeez A., Ikram M., Khan M. A., Zhanglian H., J. Rare Earths, 2015, 33, 255.
[28] Xiao Q., Liu T., Zhou Q., Li L., Chang C., Gao D., Li D., You F., Chem. Res. Chinese Universities, 2024, 40, 484.
[29] Wu Y., Yang Y., Gu M., Bie C., Tan H., Cheng B., Xu J., Chin. J. Catal., 2023, 53, 123.
[30] Liu F., Sun B., Liu Z., Wei Y., Gao T., Zhou G., Chin. J. Catal., 2024, 64, 152.
[31] Singh K., Nancy, Kaur H., Sharma P. K., Singh G., Singh J., Chemosphere, 2023, 313, 137322.
[32] Belachew N., Kahsay M. H., Tadesse A., Basavaiah K., J. Environ. Chem. Eng., 2020, 8, 104106.
[33] Podporska-Carroll J., Myles A., Quilty B., McCormack D. E., Fagan R., Hinder S. J., Dionysiou D. D., Pillai S. C., J. Hazard. Mater., 2017, 324, 39.
[34] Chen Y.-Q., Mao L.-X., Zhang R.-X., Zhang X.-Y., Gao Z.-H., Liu L., Huang W., Zuo Z.-J., Chem. Eng. J., 2024, 498, 155792.
[35] He W., Kim H. K., Wamer W. G., Melka D., Callahan J. H., Yin J. J., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2014, 136, 750.
[36] Widyastuti E., Chiu C.-T., Hsu J.-L., Chieh Lee Y., Arabian J. Chem., 2023, 16, 105010.
[37] Heidari-Asil S. A., Zinatloo-Ajabshir S., Alshamsi H. A., Al-Nayili A., Yousif Q. A., Salavati-Niasari M., Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2022, 47, 16852.
[38] Wang W., Yang Y., Yang S., Guo Z., Feng C., Tang X., Electrochim. Acta, 2015, 155, 297.
[39] Jheng B.-R., Chiu P.-T., Yang S.-H., Tong Y.-L., Sci. Rep., 2022, 12, 2921.
[40] Fu W., Li X., Zhao C., Liu Y., Zhang P., Zhou J., Pan X., Xie E., Mater. Lett., 2015, 149, 1.
[41] Li X., Zhang Y., Cheng Y., Chen X., Tan W., Ceram. Int., 2021, 47, 9214.
[42] Chen J., Zhan J., Zhang Y., Tang Y., Chin. Chem. Lett., 2019, 30, 735.
[43] Ma C., Chen S., Wang C., Zhao Z., Wang W., Li W., J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2025, 209, 149.
[44] Ai Y., Hu J., Xiong X., Carabineiro S. a. C., Li Y., Sirotkin N., Agafonov A., Lv K., Appl. Catal. B Environ., 2024, 353, 124098.
[45] Li J., Cheng X., Zhang H., Gou J., Zhang X., Wu D., Dionysiou D. D., J. Hazard. Mater., 2023, 448, 130946.
[46] Yang Q., Xu Y., Xue X., Zhang N., Feng R., Sun M., Yan T., Yan L., Mater. Express, 2022, 12, 426.
[47] Wang C.-C., Shieu F.-S., Shih H. C., J. Environ. Chem. Eng., 2021, 9, 104707.
[48] Liu B., Cheng J., Peng H.-Q., Chen D., Cui X., Shen D., Zhang K., Jiao T., Li M., Lee C.-S., Zhang W., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019, 7, 775.
[49] Guan S., An L., Ashraf S., Zhang L., Liu B., Fan Y., Li B., Appl. Catal. B, 2020, 269, 118775.
[50] Zhang W., Xu C., Liu E., Fan J., Hu X., Appl. Surf. Sci., 2020, 515, 146039.
[51] Wang X., Yang C., Jin Z., Appl. Catal., A, 2024, 674, 119614.
[52] Li X., Liu Q., Deng F., Huang J., Han L., He C., Chen Z., Luo Y., Zhu Y., Appl. Catal. B, 2022, 314, 121502.
[53] Chen H., Wang J., Han X., Liao F., Zhang Y., Gao L., Xu C., Ceram. Int., 2019, 45, 8577.
[54] Li H., Li Y., Lv X., Liu C., Zhang N., Zang J., Yue P., Gao Y., Liu C., Li Y., Adv. Mater., 2025, 37, e2415126.
[55] Li G., Zeng G., Tang N., Lu L., Li M., Yu J., Long W., Hu X., Tan X., Tang C., Appl. Catal. B Environ., 2025, 361, 124614.
[56] Ma H., Wu X., Li X., Liu J., Dong H., Liu Y., Niu L., Zhang F., Wang W., Shao C., Li X., Liu Y., Inorg. Chem., 2024, 63, 15735.
[57] Huang K., Liang G., Sun S., Hu H., Peng X., Shen R., Li X., J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2024, 193, 98.

ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO S-Scheme Heterojunction for Photocatalytic Degradation of Cefalexin and Antimicrobial Properties

ZnCo₂O₄-ZnO S-Scheme Heterojunction for Photocatalytic Degradation of Cefalexin and Antimicrobial Properties

可视化

摘要/Abstract

引用本文

使用本文

参考文献

相关文章 15

编辑推荐

Metrics

本文评价

[1]	LU Chongjiu, GONG Yunnan, ZHONG Dichang, LU Tongbu. Syntheses and Photocatalytic Application of Porous Supramolecular Frameworks[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(4): 655-665.
[2]	ZHOU Yu, WANG Weikang, LI Jinhe, REN Wei, WANG Lele, LIU Qinqin. Transition Metal Sulfide Cocatalysts: Applications and Challenges in Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(4): 687-703.
[3]	LIU Chuang, GAO Tengyuan, WANG Guohong, CHENG Qiang WANG Kai. Efficient CO₂ Photoreduction into Solar Fuels over MoO_3-x/COF S-Scheme Photocatalyst[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(4): 726-733.
[4]	YU Hong, ZHANG Xuening, CHEN Qian, ZHOU Pan-Ke, XU Fei, WANG Hongqiang, CHEN Xiong. Linkage Conversion in Pyrene-based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Promoted Photocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Generation in a Biphasic System[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(4): 734-740.
[5]	WANG Yufan, ZHOU Guosheng, XU Yangrui, CHENG Yu, SONG Minshan, JIN Jie, LIU Xinlin, LU Ziyang. Hydrothermal Synthesis of Inorganic Imprinted Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ Nanosheets for Efficient Selective Photocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(4): 741-750.
[6]	CHENG Shuilian, FANG Yuxuan, YANG Siyuan, GAO Qiongzhi, CAI Xin ZHANG Shengsen. Synergistic Dual-cocatalyst Modified TiO₂/g-C₃N₄ Heterojunctions for Efficient Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(4): 751-759.
[7]	WU Jingyao, ZHAO Qiang, LV Yujing, WANG Shuo, WANG Pengzhao, LONG Jinlin, WANG Ying. Pyridine Nitrogen-modified Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic One-step 2e^-H₂O₂ Production[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(4): 822-830.
[8]	LI Xiaofang, LI Fang, WU Yetong, YANG Heng, WANG Chunlei, CHAI Bo, GUO Xiaoliang, YAN Juntao. Oxygen Vacancy-rich BiOBr for Enhanced Photocatalytic NO Removal and Bacterial Inactivation[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(4): 839-849.
[9]	GAO Juanfeng, LIN Xiao, JIANG Bowen, TANG Senpei, ZHANG Haiyan, CHEN Feitai, JIN Zhiliang, LI Youji, Noritatsu Tsubaki. Epitaxial Vertical Growth of Carbon Nitride-based Homojunction Composites for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(4): 868-879.
[10]	LI Dan. Frontiers in Catalytic Technologies for Carbon Neutrality: Advances and Prospects[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(3): 472-483.
[11]	HU Miao, Jumanah ALHARBI, ZHANG Huabin, Hassan S. Al QAHTANI, FENG Chengyang. Advanced In situ Characterization Techniques for Photocatalysis[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2025, 41(2): 237-253.
[12]	XIAO Qi, LIU Ting, ZHOU Qianhe, LI Liangyu, CHANG Chuntao, GAO Dawei, LI Danyang, YOU Feifei. Nanostructured ZnO/ZnS with Type-II Hetero-junction for Efficient CO₂ Photoreduction[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2024, 40(3): 484-489.
[13]	YANG Xiaodan, GUO Ziqi, XU Yichen, LI Ziliang, ZHOU Yangtao, YANG Zhenming, ZHOU Zishuai, GAO Yong, ZHANG Jinsong. In situ Preparation and Visible-light-driven Photocatalytic Degradation Performance of Nano 3C-SiC@Multilayer Graphene Oxide Heterostructure[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2024, 40(3): 536-547.
[14]	HE Huan, ZOU Zhengxi, HUA Weiming, YUE Yinghong, and GAO Zi. Promoting Effect of ZnO on the Catalytic Performance of CoZSM-5 for CO₂-Assisted Dehydrogenation of Ethane[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2023, 39(6): 1064-1069.
[15]	WANG Xinyi, ZHAO Zhenwei, ZAHRA Kiran, LI Junjun, ZHANG Zhicheng. Sub-nanomaterials for Photo/Electro-catalytic CO₂ Reduction: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities[J]. 高等学校化学研究, 2023, 39(4): 580-598.