Enhanced visible light photocatalytic inactivation of Microcystis aeruginosa using Ag2CO3/WO3 with strong internal electric field: Performance and mechanism

• The Ag 2 CO 3 /WO 3 heterojunction was synthesized by simple in situ stirring method. • The Ag 2 CO 3 /WO 3 heterojunction improves visible light photocatalytic performance. • Nearly-complete removal of M. aeruginosa was achieved within 3 h photocatalytic process. • Possible mechanism of enhanced visible light photocatalysis was investigated for M. aeruginosa inactivation. Eutrophication-induced algal blooms present serious risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health by crowding out the living space of aquatic plants and animals. In this study, an Ag 2 CO 3 /WO 3 photocatalyst with exceptional optical properties was synthesized using an in situ stirring method. This photocatalyst exhibited remarkable efficacy in the visible light photocatalytic inactivation of Microcystis aeruginosa, achieving nearly 100% algal removal within 180 min. To elucidate the particular effect on algae cell for visible light photocatalytic inactivation, the physiological changes in algal cells were further investigated. Our findings revealed that Ag 2 CO 3 /WO 3 severely impairs membrane permeability, disrupts stability, and interferes with the physiological metabolism of algal cells, leading to the continuous release and subsequent degradation of intra- and extracellular organic matter. Additionally, several reactive radicals, ·OH, ·O 2 − , 1 O 2 and h + , are considered the primary contributors to the inactivation of algal cells during visible-light photocatalytic inactivation. And efficient electron-hole separation in Ag 2 CO 3 /WO 3 , induced by the internal electric field, is a prerequisite for reactive oxygen species (ROSs) generation. Based on these findings, a potential mechanism for the visible light photocatalytic inactivation of M. aeruginosa by Ag 2 CO 3 /WO 3 was proposed. Overall, Ag 2 CO 3 /WO 3 demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in removing M. aeruginosa and held promise for application in managing harmful cyanobacteria blooms in aquatic ecosystems.