New Core-Shell Nanocomposite Based on Co3O4 Quantum Dots and Fe-Infinite Coordination Polymer with Efficient Charge Separation Properties as Visible Light Photocatalyst and Photo-electrocatalyst

A new core-shell nanocomposite was designed by functionalization of a Co3O4 quantum dots (Co3O4-QDs) core with terephthalic acid (TPA) and growth of an Fe-infinite coordination polymer (Fe-ICP) shell on the core surface. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) confirmed the core-shell structure of the prepared Co3O4-QDs@Fe-ICP nanocomposite. Co3O4-QDs@Fe-ICP exhibited high catalytic, visible light photocatalytic, and photoelectrocatalytic activity in degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), reactive orange 29 (RAO29), and crystal violet (CV) as compared to the individual Co3O4-QDs and Fe-ICP. The high photocatalytic, photoelectrocatalytic, and catalytic activities of Co3O4-QDs@Fe-ICP in comparison with Co3O4-QDs and Fe-ICP were attributed to the interconnection of Co3O4-QDs and Fe-ICP within the core-shell structure. Impressively, the existence of the Fe-ICP shell is critical for not only efficient charge separation and enhancing the catalytic performance but also preventing Co3O4-QDs from aggregation during the degradation process.