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Microwave-assisted Synthesis of Carbon Nanodots/TiO2 Composite with Enhanced Photocatalytic Oxidation of VOCs in a Continuous Flow Reaction

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Abstract

In this research, carbon nanodots decorated TiO2 (CDs/TiO2) were prepared by the microwave method and used as the catalyst for the photo-oxidation of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, acetone, and toluene, in a continuous flow under UV-A radiation. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electronic microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The results confirm the vital role of carbon nanodots in the improvement of photocatalytic activity of TiO2 via extending the light absorption into the visible range and lengthening the existence of photoelectrons and holes. The synthetic catalyst exhibited superior photocatalytic performance than the pristine TiO2. The removal rate of formaldehyde, acetone, and toluene in a continuous flow and under humid conditions are 0.38, 0.22, and 0.2 mmol g− 1 h− 1, respectively. While the change in relative humidity had significant impacts on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2, CDs/TiO2 still exhibited a very high and stable VOCs conversion efficiency. Moreover, the photo-oxidation efficiency of formaldehyde on the CDs/TiO2 photocatalyst was maintained the same after 8 cycles.

Highlights

Carbon nanodots were successfully prepared by a simple microwave-assisted method.

Carbon nanodots played a vital role in the improvement of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2.

Photocatalytic removal of formaldehyde, acetone, and toluene was tested under humid conditions.

High catalytic stability in the degradation of formaldehyde was obtained on CDs/TiO2.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), VNU-HCM for supporting this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Nguyen Vu Hanh Nhan, Le Nguyen Quang Tu, Bui Tan Loc, Dang Cam Vinh, Nguyen Thi Truc Phuong, Ngo Tran Hoang Duong, Nguyen Van Dung, Tran Thuy Tuyet Mai & Nguyen Quang Long

  2. Vietnam National University, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Nguyen Vu Hanh Nhan, Le Nguyen Quang Tu, Bui Tan Loc, Dang Cam Vinh, Nguyen Thi Truc Phuong, Ngo Tran Hoang Duong, Nguyen Van Dung, Tran Thuy Tuyet Mai & Nguyen Quang Long

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  1. Nguyen Vu Hanh Nhan
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Nhan, N.V.H., Tu, L.N.Q., Loc, B.T. et al. Microwave-assisted Synthesis of Carbon Nanodots/TiO2 Composite with Enhanced Photocatalytic Oxidation of VOCs in a Continuous Flow Reaction. Top Catal 67, 661–669 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-023-01889-2

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