Mid‐IR Light‐Activatable Full Spectrum LaB₆ Plasmonic Photocatalyst

Abstract Photocatalysts as long‐lasting, benign reagents for disinfection of bacteria in hospitals and public areas/facilities/transportation vehicles are strongly needed. A common limitation for all existing semiconductor photocatalysts is the requirement of activation by external UV–vis‐near‐infrared (NIR) light with wavelengths shorter than ≈1265 nm. None of the existing photocatalysts can function during nighttime in the absence of external light. Herein, an unprecedented LaB₆ plasmonic photocatalyst is reported, which can absorb UV–vis‐NIR light and mid‐IR (3900 nm) light to split water and generate hydrogen and hydroxyl radicals for the decomposition of organic pollutants, as well as kill multidrug‐resistant Escherichia coli bacteria. Mid‐IR light (≈2–50 µm) is readily available from the natural environments via thermal radiation of warm/hot objects on the earth including human bodies, animals, furnances, hot/warm electrical devices, and buildings.