Journal
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Volume 206, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112631
Keywords
Carbon dot; TiO2; Co-catalyst; Dye photodegradation; Microalgae; Microwave-assisted treatment
Funding
- Kurita Water and Environment Foundation [20Pvn011-I40]
- Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City [NCM2019-50-01]
- Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) - Ministry of Education [NRF-2020R1I1A306849711]
- National Research Foundation of Korea [5199991414543] Funding Source: Korea Institute of Science & Technology Information (KISTI), National Science & Technology Information Service (NTIS)
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This study presents a novel approach to obtain carbon dots from microalgae, named microalgae-based carbon dots (MCDs), using microwave-assisted treatment. The MCDs were successfully decorated on TiO2 nanoparticles. The resulting TiO2-MCDs composite showed superior photodegradation of methylene blue compared to pristine TiO2, attributed to the electron reservoir and photosensitizing properties of MCDs. The composite photocatalyst also exhibited high photostability and recyclability.
TiO2 is a well-known semiconductor used widely in the photocatalyst field, but its photocatalytic applications are hampered by a fast electron-hole recombination rate and low visible light absorption due to a wide-band-gap energy. Herein, we present a simple, low cost, and green approach to obtain carbon dots from microalgae, namely microalgae-based carbon dots (MCDs), using an unprecedented microwave-assisted treatment. The MCDs were successfully decorated on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles. The as-prepared composite exhibited a superior photodegradation of methylene blue, compared with pristine TiO2 (83% and 27%, respectively) under visible light irradiation. The MCDs in TiO2-MCDs serve as electron reservoirs to trap photoinduced electrons and as photosensitizers for the improvement of visible light absorption; both factors play an important role in the improvement of the TiO2 photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the as-prepared composite photocatalyst also exhibits high photostability and recyclability during the photodegradation of methylene blue. Therefore, this work provides an original approach to the development of environmentally friendly and highly effective pho-tocatalysts for the treatment of various organic pollutants, which can go a long way toward ensuring a safe and sustainable environment.
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