Significantly enhanced photocatalytic in-situ H2O2 production and consumption activities for efficient sterilization by ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 heterojunction

Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is an important green oxidant for environmental remediation. It is a sustainable strategy to realize solar-driven in- situ H 2 O 2 production for timely using via cascade reactions to sterilization or remove organic pollutants etc. However, how to improve the H 2 O 2 production and consumption abilities of catalysts are the two main challenges. Here we report a superior carbon-related ZnIn 2 S 4 /g-C 3 N 4 catalyst with excellent H 2 O 2 generation and consumption capabilities for efficient sterilization under visible light irradiation. The 2D/2D heterojunction of ZnIn 2 S 4 /g-C 3 N 4 with rapid carrier separation and transfer efficiency exhibits a remarkable H 2 O 2 yield of 4.27 mmol g −1 , which is much higher than that of current catalysts. The in- situ produced H 2 O 2 can be quickly activated to strong oxidizing hydroxyl radicals for sterilization, in which the Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) are fully cleared only within 25 min and 98% of Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) are killed out after 60 min irradiation. The prepared photocatalysts realize the rapid production and consumption of H 2 O 2 , and this work provides an effect green strategy for sterilization via the in- situ generated H 2 O 2 . • Solar-driven H 2 O 2 synthesis onsite and consumption to sterilize. • 2D/2D hierarchical ZnIn 2 S 4 /g-C 3 N 4 heterojunction photocatalyst. • The rapid activation of in- situ produced H 2 O 2 by ZnIn 2 S 4 -related catalyst. • The optimized ZnIn 2 S 4 /g-C 3 N 4 exhibits a remarkable H 2 O 2 yield of 4.27 mmol g −1 . • E. coli and S. aureus are quickly eliminated.