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Incorporation of graphene quantum dots to enhance photocatalytic properties of anatase TiO2

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2018

Sowbaranigha Chinnusamy ,
Ravneet Kaur ,
Anuja Bokare  and
Folarin Erogbogbo
Sowbaranigha Chinnusamy
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical, Chemical, and Materials Engineering, San Jose State University, 1 Washington Square, San Jose, California 95112, USA
Ravneet Kaur
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical, Chemical, and Materials Engineering, San Jose State University, 1 Washington Square, San Jose, California 95112, USA
Anuja Bokare
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical, Chemical, and Materials Engineering, San Jose State University, 1 Washington Square, San Jose, California 95112, USA
Folarin Erogbogbo*
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical, Chemical, and Materials Engineering, San Jose State University, 1 Washington Square, San Jose, California 95112, USA
*
*Address all correspondence to Folarin Erogbogbo at [email protected]
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Abstract

Different sized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been synthesized by an inexpensive wet chemical method using bird charcoal as a precursor. Obtained GQDs found to have luminescence and visible light absorption. These GQDs are further coupled with titanium dioxide (TiO2) to form TiO2–GQDs nanocomposites. GQD nanostructures exhibit band gap tunability and have the potential to enhance the photoabsorption in TiO2. The hybrid combination of the nanomaterials decrease the recombination of charge carriers, increase charge carrier mobility, and improve the overall photoconversion efficiency. The composites exhibit higher photocatalytic activity and rate constants value than pure TiO2.

Type
Research Letters
Information
MRS Communications , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , March 2018 , pp. 137 - 144
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2018 

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