Bamboo prepared carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for enhancing Bi3Ti4O12 nanosheets photocatalytic activity

Tao Wang, Xiqing Liu, Changchang Ma, Zhi Zhu, Yang Liu, Zhi Liu, Maobin Wei, Xiaoxun Zhao, Hongjun Dong, Pengwei Huo, Chunxiang Li, Yongsheng Yan

Index: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.04.085

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Abstract

In this work, a novel, simple, economical and green carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were obtained by hydrothermal method using bamboo as a carbon source at the first time. In order to further the use of such CQDs, we reported the facile fabrication of CQDs/Bi3Ti4O12 (BTO) nanosheets photocatalysts. The experimental results indicated that CQDs were successfully coupled with BTO nanosheets, exhibiting excellent photocatalytic activity than bare BTO. The improved photodegradation efficiency was attributed to the extended light absorption range, and increased separation rate of electron-holes pairs. At last, a possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed. The design of such CQDs from the creature with semiconductor can be extended to photocatalytic systems.