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CQDs Boost Photocatalytic Activity for Environmental, Energy Use

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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.

CQD photocatalyst, Shanghai Institute of Technology
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).
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Published: August 2017
Glossary
optoelectronics
Optoelectronics is a branch of electronics that focuses on the study and application of devices and systems that use light and its interactions with different materials. The term "optoelectronics" is a combination of "optics" and "electronics," reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of this field. Optoelectronic devices convert electrical signals into optical signals or vice versa, making them crucial in various technologies. Some key components and applications of optoelectronics include: ...
quantum dots
A quantum dot is a nanoscale semiconductor structure, typically composed of materials like cadmium selenide or indium arsenide, that exhibits unique quantum mechanical properties. These properties arise from the confinement of electrons within the dot, leading to discrete energy levels, or "quantization" of energy, similar to the behavior of individual atoms or molecules. Quantum dots have a size on the order of a few nanometers and can emit or absorb photons (light) with precise wavelengths,...
nano
An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
Research & TechnologyeducationAsia-Pacificoptoelectronicsindustrialenergyenvironmentquantum dotscarbon quantum dotsCQDphotocatalysisnanonanocompositeup-converted photoluminescencehydrogen productionTech Pulse

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