Designing Z-scheme heterojunction materials as a highly efficient photocatalyst is essential in environmental
remediation. Herein, a new type of TiO
/ZnO@MCM-41 (TZM-41) heterojunction photocatalyst
was designed for degrading organic dyes from wastewater and antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus
(S. aureus). First, mesoporous MCM-41 silica material was fabricated with the sol–gel method and then
calcinated under 550 C to form porous material. Subsequently, ZnO and TiO2
crystals were grown onto the MCM-41 surface to obtain a TZM-41 heterojunction photocatalyst. TZM-41 nanocomposite with visible light excitations revealed a maximum degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO)
under visible light irradiation. The reusability tests, reaction mechanism, reaction kinetics as well as TOC
and COD tests were investigated on the photocatalytic performance. The findings obtained from the reaction
mechanism, quenching radical test, and electron spin resonance (ESR) technique indicated that
hydroxyl radicals (
OH) and superoxide anion (
O
2
2
) play an essential role in organic dyes degradation.
Furthermore, the antibacterial properties of ZnO and TZM-41 nanocomposite were evaluated on S. aureus.
The current study provides new horizons to develop Z-scheme heterojunction materials for improvement
in water treatment and remediation.