Graphene quantum dots decorated ZnO-ZnFe2O4 nanocages and their visible light photocatalytic activity

A novel graphene quantum dots (GQDs) decorated ZnO-ZnFe2O4 nanocages ternary photocatalyst was prepared by a simple one-step deposition process. The as-prepared ZnO, ZnO-ZnFe2O4 and GQD/ZnO-ZnFe2O4 were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen absorption and desorption isothermal curves and electrochemical test. The synthesized GQD/ZnO-ZnFe2O4 nanocages exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance by degrading organic dye of methylene blue (MB) and tetracycline hydrochloride compared with ZnO and ZnO-ZnFe2O4. This study successfully shed a new thought on solving environmental problems by using low-cost, non-toxic metal oxides to synthesize excellent photocatalytic material.