Efficient Combination of Carbon Quantum Dots and BiVO4 for Significantly Enhanced Photocatalytic Activities

The development of highly efficient and stable photocatalysts is critical importance for the removal environmental pollutants, such as paraben preservatives. In this work, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were used to modify bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) through a hydrothermal reaction. Regarding as-formed CQDs/BiVO4 composite, TEM, XPS, Raman spectra analysis demonstrated strong interaction between CQDs BiVO4, possibly leading elevated energy level composite. As compared pristine showed an increase in light harvesting, significantly enhanced visible-light activities degrading typical pollutant—benzyl (BzP)—where maximum 85.4% BzP was degraded 150 min. After four cycle reactions, optimum sample 0.6%CQDs/BiVO4 still 78.2% BzP, indicating good stability reusability notably higher photocurrent smaller arc Nyquist plot measured by CQDs/BiVO4, unveiling improved photocharge separation lowered interfacial charge transfer resistance modification. Meanwhile, due promoted level, practically produced •O2− species thereby contributed degradation, while they had no ability produce •OH. This contrary BiVO4 system, where •OH h+ played dominant roles.