The enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic activity of zinc porphyrin/g-C3N4 nanosheet for efficient bacterial infected wound healing

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has received much attention as a metal-free polymeric two-dimensional photocatalyst for antibiotic-free antibacterial application. However, the weak photocatalytic antibacterial activity of pure g-C3N4 stimulated by visible light limits its applications. Herein, g-C3N4 is modified with Zinc (II) meso-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (ZnTCPP) by amidation reaction to enhance the utilization of visible light and reduce the recombination of electron-hole pairs. The composite (ZP/CN) is used to treat bacterial infection under visible light irradiation with a high efficacy of 99.99% within 10 min due to the enhanced photocatalytic activity. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and density flooding theory calculations indicate the excellent electrical conductivity between the interface of ZnTCPP and g-C3N4. The formed built-in electric field is responsible for the high visible photocatalytic performance of ZP/CN. In vitro and in vivo tests have demonstrated that ZP/CN not only possesses excellent antibacterial activity upon visible light irradiation, but also facilitates the angiogenesis. In addition, ZP/CN also suppresses the inflammatory response. Therefore, this inorganic–organic material can serve as a promising platform for effective healing of bacteria-infected wounds.