Metal Nanoparticle/Carbon Quantum Dot Composite as a Photocatalyst for High-Efficiency Cyclohexane Oxidation

High-efficiency and high-selectivity catalytic oxidation of alkanes under mild conditions is a major objective of current catalysis chemistry and chemical production. Despite extensive development efforts on new catalysts for cyclohexane oxidation, current commercial processes still suffer from low conversion, poor selectivity, and excessive production of waste. We demonstrate the design and synthesis of composites made from metal nanoparticles and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for high-efficiency and high-selectivity photocatalyst systems for the green oxidation of cyclohexane. Remarkably, the present Au nanoparticles/CQDs composite photocatalyst yields 63.8% conversion efficiency and 99.9% selectivity for the green oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone, using H2O2 under visible light at room temperature. Given its diversity and versatility of structural and composition design, metal nanoparticles/CQDs composites may provide a powerful pathway for the development of high-performance catalysts and production processes for green chemical industry.