One-pot synthesis of C-dots modified TiO2 nanosheets/UiO-66-NH2 with improved photocatalytic activity under visible light

Abstract A simple one-pot method was employed to synthesize C-dots modified TiO2 nanosheets (NS)/UiO-66-NH2 for enhancing photocatalytic activity. Anatase TiO2 NS and UiO-66-NH2 were closely combined and C-dots were well modified on their surfaces. The photocatalytic activities of catalysts were assessed through photodegrading ketoprofen (10 mg/L) under visible light. C-dots/TiO2 NS/UiO-66-NH2 degraded 90% of ketoprofen in 80 min, and owned the higher kinetic rate than TiO2 NS (24 times) or TiO2 NS/UiO-66-NH2 (2.1 times). The results indicated that C-dots/TiO2 NS/UiO-66-NH2 exhibited the most superb visible-light photocatalytic activity. Besides, C-dots/TiO2 NS/UiO-66-NH2 showed good stability and reusability in four runs of degrading ketoprofen. The improved photocatalytic performance was caused by the heterostructure of TiO2 NS and UiO-66-NH2 and photoelectrical performance of C-dots, effectively absorbing visible light and promoting photoelectrons transfer.