CQDs Boost Photocatalytic Activity for Environmental, Energy Use

A novel approach to carbon quantum dot (CQD) use focuses on the research and design of CQD-modified photocatalysis, specifically on the introduction of CQDs into Bi₂WO₆ photocatalysts. When tested, the CQDs/Bi₂WO₆ photocatalyst demonstrated strong photocatalytic performance in pollutant degradation and hydrogen evolution.

CQDs have drawn interest as photocatalysts because they are nontoxic, benign, abundant and inexpensive. The study undertaken by researchers at Shanghai Institute of Technology and Nanjing University of Science and Technology investigated how the photo-absorption range could be broadened while increasing the charge separation efficiency of the CQD photocatalyst.

Researchers fabricated CQDs/Bi₂WO₆ nanocomposites and tested the impact of their photocatalytic activity on the photodegradation of organic pollutants and hydrogen production.

Due to the excellent up-converted photoluminescence, photo-induced electron transfer and electron reservoir properties of CQDs, the CQDs/Bi₂WO₆ composite showed enhanced photo-absorption and charge separation, resulting in excellent photocatalytic performance. Courtesy of World Scientific.

The team observed that CQDs/Bi₂WO₆ composites possessed much higher photocatalytic activity in the degradation of both rhodamine B and phenol under simulated solar light after the hybridization with CQDs. Results were attributed to the excellent up-converted photoluminescence, photo-induced electron transfer and electron reservoir properties of CQDs.

Significantly different from pure Bi₂WO₆, the CQDs/Bi₂WO₆ composites also displayed excellent photocatalytic dihydrogen (H₂) production activity. This could be attributed to the suitable conduction band edge and sufficient reduction ability of CQDs.

The research was published in NANO (doi: 10.1142/S1793292017500825).