LAUSR

Abstract In this study, Z-scheme TiO2-x/AgI heterostructure photocatalysts were fabricated through a solvothermal route and an in situ precipitation method. Compared with pure TiO2-x and AgI, the obtained composite photocatalysts displayed significantly higher photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline (TC). The analysis of antimicrobial properties demonstrated that the TiO2-x/AgI-20% composite could also effectively inactivate Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Fusarium graminearum (F. graminearum) macroconidia under visible light. Active species trapping experiments as well as electron spin resonance spectra (ESR) revealed the importance of •O2- and •OH during photocatalysis. Analysis of transient photocurrents and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed that the charge transfer and separation efficiency was significantly improved through the Z-scheme system. It was expected that the novel TiO2-x/AgI composite would be a promising candidate photocatalyst for the environmental applications.