Silver modified carbon quantum dots for solvent-free selective oxidation of cyclohexane

Despite tremendous efforts devoted to the study of new nanocatalysts, obtaining effective nanocatalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexane under mild conditions is still a great challenge. The silver modified carbon quantum dots were synthesized by a simple chemistry method and demonstrated to exhibit excellent catalytic ability for cyclohexane oxidation (conversion based on cyclohexane reached about 58.9% and selectivity to cyclohexanone reached about 84.6%) under visible light, which can be attributed to the synergistic catalysis of Ag nanoparticles and carbon quantum dots. Besides, the carbon quantum dots can stabilize Ag nanoparticles for the prevention of aggregation. Moreover, the silver modified carbon quantum dots showed good reusability, being reused after ten consecutive runs. Based on a series of experiments, it can be concluded that the silver modified carbon quantum dots are green and efficient nanocatalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexane.