Carbon quantum dots anchored TiO2 nanofibers: Effective photocatalyst for waste water treatment

Abstract

Carbon quantum dots/titanium dioxide (CQDs/TiO2) composite nanofibers were prepared via a facile one step hydrothermal method. Characterization of the samples was carried out by Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Photoluminescence (PL), and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Our study revealed that the photocatalytic efficiency (photodegradation of methylene blue) under visible light irradiation and antibacterial properties (against Escherichia coli) of as prepared composite nanofibers (CQDs/TiO2) are higher than pristine TiO2 nanofibers. The anchored CQDs can both enhance the light absorption and suppress photogenerated electron–hole׳s recombination which results in the enhancement of catalytic and antibacterial properties.