Fluorescent carbon dot decorated MnO2 nanorods for complete photomineralization of phenol from water. Issue 12 (25th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mehta, Akansha; Mishra, Amit; Basu, Soumen
• Is Part Of: Environmental science. Volume 4:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 2012
• Page End: 2020
• Publication Date: 2018-09-25
• Subjects: Water-supply -- Periodicals; Water security -- Periodicals; Water resources development -- Periodicals; Water chemistry -- Periodicals; 553.705
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ew00235e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1400

Abstract

Abstract : Using MnO2 @CQDs the photocatalytic degradation of phenol was tested and under optimum operational parameters, phenol degradation efficiency was found to be ∼90% with a high rate constant R = 0.029 min −1 . Abstract : The enormous generation of wastewater has become the highest rated problem worldwide and day by day photocatalysis is gaining importance as the best option for wastewater treatment. In the context of recent studies for the development of photocatalysts, a novel MnO2 @CQDs nanocomposite (carbon dots decorated on MnO2 nanorods) was prepared by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method. The optical properties revealed an excitation edge at 540 nm and a band gap of 1.3 eV for the nanocomposite. Structural and morphological studies revealed open-ended MnO2 nanorods (length and breadth are 510 nm and 110 nm, respectively) and spherical CQDs are seen deposited on the surface of MnO2 . The nanocomposite also possesses a high surface area (95.3 m 2 g −1 ) with mesopores (diameter 39 nm) which directly influences ionic transport. Using MnO2 @CQDs the photocatalytic degradation of phenol was tested under various operational parameters. Under optimum operational parameters, phenol degradation efficiency was found to be ∼90% with a high rate constant R = 0.029 min −1 . The mechanism for the higher activity of the MnO2 @CQDs nanocomposite was elucidated using different scavengers and cyclic voltammetry studies. These results underline the prospective application of the MnO2 @CQDs photocatalyst in water treatment.