Reaction kinetic acceleration induced by atomic-hybridized channels in carbon quantum dot/ReS2 composites for efficient Cr(VI) reduction

The design of the excellent photocatalyst with high catalytic activity and light response characteristics remains a significant challenge for heavy metal reduction. Different from conventional heterostructures, this work focuses on a simple and feasible atomic-hybridized strategy to accelerate reaction kinetic process through constructing an electronic channel. Herein, we present an interesting molecule tailoring method to open C = O double bonds of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and then anchor it onto ReS2 nanosheets to form an electronic channel via Re-5d and O-2p orbital hybridization, in which photoinduced carrier of surface-reduced CQDs (rCQDs) can freely transfer to ReS2 for hexavalent chromium reduction. Compared to pristine ReS2 nanosheets and CQDs/ReS2, the reduction reaction rate constant over the pseudo-first-order kinetic model is enhanced about 13.1 and 4.3 times, respectively. Our findings provide new inspirations for steering electronic channel by atomic hybridization and accelerating reaction kinetic mechanism simultaneously.

Automated summary

Utilizing an atomic-hybridized strategy to construct an electronic channel significantly accelerates the hexavalent chromium reduction reaction over ReS2 nanosheets with carbon quantum dots. This simple and feasible method enhances the reaction rate and provides new insights for designing efficient photocatalysts.