Nanohybrid surface layers consisting of semiconductor transmission metal oxide nanoparticles and carbon based nanomaterials were prepared by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). The photocatalytic decomposition efficiency of the nanocomposite layers was studied against microorganisms, yeast, bacteria, and virus cells constituents under UV, visible, and solar light irradiation. Transition metal oxide semiconductor materials are widely investigated photocatalysts, being non-toxic, eco-friendly, and cost effective. However, their use in practical applications is constrained by their relatively wide band gap, limiting the absorption range to the UV spectrum of the solar radiation, and high recombination rate of photo-induced electron-hole pairs. Our purpose in this study was to overcome these inconveniencies. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of the nanohybrid layers as compared to the reference single component layers was attributed to the synergistic effects between the constituent nanomaterials.
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