A metal-free composite photocatalyst of graphene quantum dots deposited on red phosphorus

A simple approach to enhance the photocatalytic activity of red phosphorus (P) was developed. A mechanical ball milling method was applied to reduce the size of red P and to deposit graphene quantum dots onto red P. The product was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, contact angle measurements, zeta-potential measurements, X-ray diffraction and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The product exhibited high visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance in the photodegradation of rhodamine B. (C) 2017 The Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V.