New carbon quantum dots nano-particles decorated zinc peroxide (Cdots/ZnO2) nano-composite with superior photocatalytic efficiency for removal of different dyes under UV-A light

In this study, eco-friendly carbon quantum dots/zinc peroxide (CDots/ZnO2) nano-composite has been fabricated for photocatalytic applications. The structural and chemical compositions of (CDots/ZnO2) catalyst have been described using XRD, BET, SEM, and TEM. The decoration of CDots on ZnO2 surface is confirmed by XRD and TEM microscope. Then the photocatalysis activity of CDots/ZnO2 has studied for methyl orange, methylene blue and Rhodamine B dyes and compared with CDots/TiO2. CDots/ZnO2 shows higher photocatalytic activity than CDots/TiO2, due to its excellent charge separation, large total pore volume and/or size and higher photo-responsive behavior of CDots/ZnO2. Photocatalyst (CDots/ZnO2) nano-composite shows excellent photocatalytic activity and high stability in UV-A spectrum range thanks to the up-conversion luminescence and photoinduced electron transfer behavior of CDots. Moreover, the superior photocatalytic activity of CDots/ZnO2 is attributed to the synergetic effect and the design of charge-transfer channel. Also, the stability of CDots/ZnO2 stands for along five cycles without any change. This effort introduces an invaluable methodology aiming at eliminating the environmental pollution by designing new photocatalysts with brilliant photocatalytic activity and high op-erational stability.