Enhanced Degradation of Oxytetracycline Antibiotic Under Visible Light over Bi<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub> Coupled with Carbon Quantum Dots Derived from Waste Biomass
Improving the photogenerated carrier separation efficiency of individual semiconductor materials has always been a key challenge in photocatalysis. In this study, we synthesized a novel photocatalytic material, N-CQDs/UBWO, in situ by combining nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) derived fro...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/23/5725 |
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| Summary: | Improving the photogenerated carrier separation efficiency of individual semiconductor materials has always been a key challenge in photocatalysis. In this study, we synthesized a novel photocatalytic material, N-CQDs/UBWO, in situ by combining nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) derived from discarded corn stover with ultrathin Bi<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub> nanosheets (UBWO). Detailed characterization indicates that the random distribution of N-CQDs on the UBWO surface increases the specific surface area of UBWO, which is beneficial for the adsorption and degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC). More importantly, N-CQDs act as electron acceptors, promoting the effective separation of photogenerated charges, prolonging the lifetime of charge carriers in UBWO, and thereby enhancing the degradation efficiency of OTC. As a result, the optimized 3wt%N-CQDs/UBWO could degrade 85% of OTC within 40 min under visible light, with a removal rate four times that of pure Bi<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub>. The performance of photocatalytic degradation over OTC by 3wt%N-CQDs/UBWO exceeds that of most reported Bi<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>6</sub>-based photocatalysts. The EPR analysis confirmed that ∙O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup> and ∙OH are the main active species in the photocatalytic degradation of OTC on 3wt%N-CQDs/UBWO. This study provides insight into designing green, low-cost, and efficient photocatalysts using CQDs derived from waste biomass and the degradation of emerging pollutants like antibiotics. |
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| ISSN: | 1420-3049 |