In-situ Hf/Zr co-doped Fe₂O₃ nanorod decorated with CuO_x/CoO_x: Enhanced photocatalytic performance for antibacterial and organic pollutants

Herein, we successfully synthesized Hf/Zr co-doping on Fe₂O₃ nanorod photocatalyst by a hydrothermal process and quenching methods. The synergistic roles of Hf and Zr double-doping on the bacteria inactivation test and decomposition of organic pollutants were investigated in detail for the 1 wt% CoO_x loaded Hf/Zr–Fe₂O₃ NRs and CuO_x/CoO_x loaded Hf/Zr–Fe₂O₃ NRs photocatalyst. Initially, the rod-like porous morphology of the Hf/Zr-doped Fe₂O₃ NRs was produced via a hydrothermal method at various Hf co-doping (0, 2, 4, 7 and 10)%. Further, CoO_x and CuO_x loaded by a wet impregnation approach on the Hf/Zr–Fe₂O₃ NRs and a highly photoactive Hf(4)/Zr–Fe₂O₃ [CoO_x/CuO_x] NRs photocatalyst were developed. After the Hf(4)/Zr–Fe₂O₃ [CoO_x/CuO_x] NRs photocatalyst treatment, the Bio–TEM imagery of bacterial cells showed extensive morphological deviations in cell membranes. Hf(4)/Zr–Fe₂O₃ NR achieved 84.1% orange II degradation upon 3 h illumination, which is higher than that of Hf–Fe₂O₃ and Zr–Fe₂O₃ (68.7 and 73.5%, respectively). Additionally, the optimum sample, Hf(4)/Zr–Fe₂O₃ [CoO_x/CuO_x] photocatalyst, exhibited 95.5% orange II dye degradation after light radiation for 3 h. Optimized Hf(4)/Zr–Fe₂O₃ [CoO_x/CuO_x] catalysts exhibited 99.9% and 99.7% inactivation of E. coli and S. aureus with 120 min, respectively. Further, scavenger experiments revealed that the electrons are the primary responsible species for photocatalytic kinetics. This work will provide a rapid method for the development of high photocatalytic performance materials for bacterial disinfection and organic degradation.