Pyrolytic synthesis of organosilane‐functionalized carbon nanoparticles for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation

Abstract

The use of carbon‐based nanomaterials as effective photocatalysts is an ideal alternative for environmental remediation. Here, (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane‐functionalized carbon nanoparticles (SiCNPs) were prepared using a simple pyrolysis method with sodium citrate and urea as the precursors. The samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and photo‐electrochemical measures. The obtained SiCNPs‐2.0 showed a better visible light response and more effective photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue (MB) compared with pure CNPs. Under visible light irradiation, 98.8% of the MB was decomposed within 75 min when SiCNPs‐2.0 was used as the photocatalyst. The high photocatalytic activities of SiCNPs‐2.0 could be attributed to enhanced light absorption in the visible region, and improved photogenerated electron–hole separation efficiency. A possible photocatalytic mechanism for removal of MB over SiCNPs‐2.0 was proposed based on active species trapping experiments. Recycling experiments showed that SiCNPs‐2.0 had good stability during photocatalysis. This work provides a new easy method to synthesize carbon‐based nanomaterials and to catalytically degrade organic pollutants in water under visible light irradiation.

High efficient solar photocatalytic carbon nanoparticles

“…The study by Li et al (2021) reaches a degradation percentage of 98.8%, but the synthesis time of the nanoparticles takes more than 6 h and requires a greater number of reagents; furthermore, the initial concentration of MB is much lower than that used in this research. On the other hand, Rani et al (2021), achieved a MB degradation of 97.0%, but with an irradiation time of 180 min; moreover, to produce carbon quantum dots, three processes are required: pyrolysis, polymerization, and oxidation.…”

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of ceria‐doped zinc oxide under UV illumination prepared via chemical precipitation

“…[13,14] Heterogeneous photocatalysis has been widely studied owing to chemical and physical stability, versatility, high oxidative capacity, ease of availability and low cost. [15][16][17] Implementation of heterogeneous photocatalysis has seen a rapid rise over the last two decades. [18,19] Semiconductor metal oxide nanomaterials have gained popularity due to their utilization as a photocatalyst for a variety of applications such as water splitting, [20] carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) valorization, [21] photovoltaic cell, [22] pollutant degradation, [23] etc.…”

Application in photocatalytic degradation of zearalenone based on graphitic carbon nitride

“…As a non‐metallic polymer semiconductor, graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C 3 N 4 ) has attracted extensive attention in photocatalysis in recent years because of its graphene phase framework, high stability, excellent photoelectrochemical properties, relatively narrow band gap, non‐toxicity, low cost and easy preparation. [ 28–30 ] Furthermore, g‐C 3 N 4 , has illustrated perfect photocatalytic properties for the degradation of pollutants (like methyl orange and rhodamine B), [ 31,32 ] which are greatly supportive for the degradation of mycotoxin.…”