The visible light catalytic properties of carbon quantum dots/ZnO nanoflowers composites

Carbon quantum dots (C QDs)/ZnO nanoflowers composites were prepared via a simple technical route through which ZnO nanoflowers were prepared by electrospinning-hydrothermal synthesis and dispersed in C QDs solution, then dried at 80 °C. The results indicated that ZnO nanoflowers were well combined with C QDs. The visible light photocatalytic activity of C QDs/ZnO nanoflowers coposite was investigated by degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation, and it is demonstrated that the photocatalytic performance of this composites was significantly enhanced compared with that of pure ZnO nanoflowers. Furthermore, the unique up-converted photoluminescence behaviour of the carbon dots and the novel 3-D structure of the ZnO were considered as the main reasons of this enhancement.