Samples of nanostructured graphitic carbon nitride (ns-g-C3N4) have been prepared by a sonication induced exfoliation process. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy and by measurement of the hydrodynamic radius revealed that the materials produced in this manner have a particle size distribution of 200 nm to 700 nm. We have investigated the photochemical reactivity of ns-g-C3N4 using the compound coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (3-CCA) and found that this material is able to efficiently produce reactive oxygen species (ROSs) under visible radiation. The nanostructured materials produced in this study were used to generate photoactive surface coatings that demonstrate broad spectrum antibacterial activity against the clinically significant microorganisms E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus when subjected to visible radiation. Importantly, no biocidal activity was observed in trials that did not include both the ns-g-C3N4 coating and visible radiation, indicating that the coatings produced from ns-g-C3N4 are not inherently toxic.

Broad spectrum antimicrobial activity of photocatalytically active nanostructured graphitic carbon nitride (ns-g-C3N4) coatings under visible radiation

251st National Meeting (2016)

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