Spin‐state Conversion by Asymmetrical Orbital Hybridization in Ni‐doped Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> to Boost Singlet Oxygen Generation for Microbial Disinfection
Meilin Duan, Chao Huang, Gong Zhang, Hao Shi, Pengfei Zhang, Limin Li, Tong Xu, Zhen Zhao, Zhujun Fu, Jingrui Han, Yuanhong Xu, Xiaoteng Ding
Abstract
Abstract Singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) plays a significant role in environmental and biomedical disinfection fields. Electrocatalytic processes hold great potential for 1 O 2 generation, but remain challenging. Herein, a facile Ni doping converted spin‐state transition approach is reported for boosting 1 O 2 production. Magnetic analysis and theoretical calculations reveal that Ni occupied at the octahedral site of Co 3 O 4 can effectively induce a low‐to‐high spin‐state transition. The high‐spin Ni−Co 3 O 4 generate appropriate binding strength and enhance electron transfer between the Co centers with oxygen intermediates, thereby improving the catalytic activity of Ni−Co 3 O 4 for effective generating 1 O 2 . In neutral conditions, 1×10 6 CFU mL −1 Gram‐negative ESBL‐producing Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) could be inactivated by Ni−Co 3 O 4 system within 5 min. Further antibacterial mechanisms indicate that 1 O 2 can lead to cell membrane damage and DNA degradation so as to irreversible cell death. Additionally, the developed Ni−Co 3 O 4 system can effectively inactivate bacteria from wastewater and bioaerosols. This work provides an effective strategy for designing high‐spin electrocatalysis to boost 1 O 2 generation for disinfection process.