Defect-Rich Cu 2 O Nanospheres as a Fenton-Like Catalyst for Cu(III) Generation: Enhanced Inactivation of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Genes

Cupryl species (Cu(III)) are promising oxidants for degrading recalcitrant organic contaminants and harmful microorganisms in water. In this study, defect-rich cuprous oxide (D-Cu 2 O) nanospheres (NSs) are introduced as a Fenton-like catalyst to generate Cu(III) for the inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). D-Cu 2 O, in the presence of H 2 O 2, achieved inactivation efficiencies 3.2, 3.0, and 2.4 times higher than those of control Cu 2 O for ARB, extracellular ARGs (e-ARGs), and intracellular ARGs (i-ARGs), respectively. Experimental evidence from oxidant scavenging tests, Cu(III)-periodate complexation assays, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and in situ Raman spectroscopy confirmed that D-Cu 2 O significantly enhanced Cu(III) generation when reacting with H 2 O 2 compared to control Cu 2 O. Density functional theory (DFT) cal…