Boosting the elimination of bacteria via a metal-free LED/visible-light photocatalytic–antibiotic strategy
- 1Department of Environmental Technologies, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University
Abstract
Microbial pollutants continue to threaten aquatic environments and human health, creating an increasing demand for efficient, sustainable, and innovative antibacterial technologies. Metal-free photocatalysts offer a safer and more sustainable route for water disinfection; however, their potential interactions with antibiotics remain insufficiently understood. Here, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalysts were synthesized via melamine polymerization under controlled CO2-atmospheres to tailor their surface and optical properties. Four variants (CN-Air, CN-LF, CN-MF, and CN-HF) were obtained and systematically characterized. CN-LF, produced under low CO2 flow, exhibited the highest surface area, enhanced visible-light absorption, and superior photocatalytic performance. Its antibacterial interaction with eight widely used antibiotics (gentamicin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, amoxiclav, azithromycin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, and tetracycline) was quantified using checkerboard assays (FICI) and inhibition-zone enhancement tests. CN-LF exhibited borderline synergistic interactions with ampicillin and cefuroxime (FICI = 0.5, at the synergy threshold), corresponding to 40% and 200% increases in antibacterial activity, respectively. Overall, these findings demonstrate that CO2-engineered g-C3N4 provides a sustainable, metal-free platform to enhance antibiotic performance via a light-associated cooperative mechanism, suggesting a potential strategy for improving antibacterial performance and contributing to environmental safety.
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BibTeX
@article{panah2026boosting,
title = {{Boosting the elimination of bacteria via a metal-free LED/visible-light photocatalytic–antibiotic strategy}},
author = {Zahra Ahmadi Panah and Afsaneh Shahbazi and Mehran Bijari},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-64599-1},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-64599-1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Boosting the elimination of bacteria via a metal-free LED/visible-light photocatalytic–antibiotic strategy
AU - Zahra Ahmadi Panah
AU - Afsaneh Shahbazi
AU - Mehran Bijari
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-64599-1
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-64599-1
AB - Microbial pollutants continue to threaten aquatic environments and human health, creating an increasing demand for efficient, sustainable, and innovative antibacterial technologies. Metal-free photocatalysts offer a safer and more sustainable route for water disinfection; however, their potential interactions with antibiotics remain insufficiently understood. Here, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalysts were synthesized via melamine polymerization under controlled CO2-atmospheres to tailor their surface and optical properties. Four variants (CN-Air, CN-LF, CN-MF, and CN-HF) were obtained and systematically characterized. CN-LF, produced under low CO2 flow, exhibited the highest surface area, enhanced visible-light absorption, and superior photocatalytic performance. Its antibacterial interaction with eight widely used antibiotics (gentamicin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, amoxiclav, azithromycin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, and tetracycline) was quantified using checkerboard assays (FICI) and inhibition-zone enhancement tests. CN-LF exhibited borderline synergistic interactions with ampicillin and cefuroxime (FICI = 0.5, at the synergy threshold), corresponding to 40% and 200% increases in antibacterial activity, respectively. Overall, these findings demonstrate that CO2-engineered g-C3N4 provides a sustainable, metal-free platform to enhance antibiotic performance via a light-associated cooperative mechanism, suggesting a potential strategy for improving antibacterial performance and contributing to environmental safety.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -