Biosynthesized carbon quantum dots/g-C3N4/Co3O4 composites for effective methylene blue dye degradation and DFT study
Carbon quantum dots; Cobalt oxide; DFT analysis and photocatalytic application; Graphitic carbon nitride
In this study, we aimed to develop a new, efficient photocatalyst, graphitic carbon nitride/carbon quantum dots/cobalt oxide (g-C3N4/CQDs/Co3O4 (CCC)), via a hydrothermal route. The composite was synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method, with the Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) systematically varied to 3, 5, and 10 %. The resulting samples are comprehensively characterized using various techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BrunauerEmmettTeller (BET) surface area analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and ultraviolet-visible (UVVis) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity was evaluated using methylene blue (MB) dye under UV light. Among the prepared samples, the 3 % Co3O4 NPs loaded CCC catalyst has shown superior photocatalytic efficiency of 94.5 % within 120 min, which is higher than that of the 5 and 10 % Co3O4 NPs loaded CCC composite and better than that of the pristine materials. The results are obtained for optimized conditions at a concentration of 5 ppm, 0.05 g and pH 10. The 3 % CCC composite has exhibited excellent reusability and stability upto five cycles. Furthermore, Density Functional Theory (DFT) was used to understand the crystal structure and electronic properties of the prepared composite. The results have demonstrate that the novel CCC composite is a promising catalyst for the degradation of MB dye in aqueous solutions and environmental remediation. 2025 Elsevier B.V.
Ashwini, M.A.; Sagadevan, Suresh; Patel, B.G. Maya; Hedge, Gurumurthy; Jyothi, M.S.; Upadhyay, Sumant; Garg, Seema; Anudeep, Yedla Venkata Durga; Mishra, Raghvendra Kumar; Johan, Mohd Rafie
Diamond and Related Materials;Volume;158;Issue;;Article No.;112628;
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2025.112628 https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105010563140?origin=resultslist
Ashwini M.A., Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia; Sagadevan S., Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia; Patel B.G.M., Department of Chemistry, Christ University, Karnataka, Bengaluru, 560029, India, Centre for Advanced Research and Development (CARD), Christ University, Karnataka, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Hedge G., Department of Chemistry, Christ University, Karnataka, Bengaluru, 560029, India, Centre for Advanced Research and Development (CARD), Christ University, Karnataka, Bengaluru, 560029, India; Jyothi M.S., Nitte (Deemed to be University), Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology (NMIT), Department of Chemistry, Bengaluru, 560064, India; Upadhyay S., Amity Institute of Nanotechnology, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India; Garg S., Deptartment of Chemistry, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University, Sector-125, Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India; Anudeep Y.V.D., Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, 110016, India; Mishra R.K., Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, 110016, India; Johan M.R., Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia