Photocatalysis of an organic pollutant using ZnOsemiconductor nanoparticles embedded biogenic nitrogen doped carbon dots

Abstract

Highly fluorescent natural carbon dots (NCDs) were synthesized using Ixora coccinea flower extract. These amorphous NCDs, around 3 nm in size, were characterized by FT-IR, confirming the presence of functional groups such as –OH, C–H, C=O, and C-N. Optical properties of the NCDs were explored through UV–Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. A ZnO-NPs@NCDs composite was prepared, with a band-gap value of 3.58 eV, indicating its UV responsiveness. FT-IR analysis revealed carbonyl and hydroxyl functional groups in the composite. XRD confirmed the hexagonal Wurtzite phase of ZnO, with an average particle size of 36.42 nm, determined by Scherrer’s equation. Raman studies showed a reduction in amorphous nature due to the integration of crystalline ZnO-NPs. XPS analysis detailed the chemical composition and elemental states of the composite. ZnO-NPs@NCDs acted as an efficient catalyst in the photocatalytic degradation of MO dye, achieving 95 % degradation within 50 min, due to enhanced synergistic effects and interfacial interactions.