@article {48987, title = {Facile microwave synthesis of Zinc Ferrite@NCDs for photocatalytic degradation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics}, journal = {Materials Chemistry and Physics}, volume = {314}, year = {2024}, month = {FEB}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) composites have attracted growing interest in photocatalytic water purification. Herein, the hybrids of zinc ferrite and nitrogen-doped carbon dots (ZnF@x\%NCDs) were synthesized via facile micro-wave synthesis. X-ray diffraction and Raman characterization confirm the formation of the spinel structure, and elemental composition has been analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of ZnF@x\%NCDs was evaluated via the decomposition of ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin under visible light illumination. We noted that 20 \% weight loading of NCDs led to the highest (similar to 79.2 \%) ciprofloxacin (CIP) degradation. Diffuse reflectance measurements demonstrate the reduction of the band gap in composites ZnF@20\%NCDs (1.91 eV) compared with bare ZnF (2.03 eV); moreover, the hybridization of zinc ferrites with NCDs results in enhanced photocurrent density and surface area. The effect of experimental parameters, including the role of photocatalyst dosage, pH value, and initial concentration of pollutants on the degradation of CIP, have also been investigated.

}, keywords = {Carbon dots, Ciprofloxacin degradation, Norfloxacin degradation, Photocatalysis, Zinc Ferrite}, issn = {0254-0584}, doi = {10.1016/j.matchemphys.2023.128823}, author = {Kaushal, Neha and Sarraf, Sonu and Basu, Aviru Kumar and Mishra, Sunita and Saha, Avishek} } @article {49773, title = {Synthesis of Pd-integrated carbon Dot@TiO2 thin film for photocatalytic glycerol reforming reaction for producing hydrogen}, journal = {Chemistry-an Asian Journal}, volume = {20}, year = {2025}, month = {NOV}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

A series of thin-film photocatalysts comprising TiO2 modified with carbon dots (CDs) dispersed either with palladium (Pd-CD/TiO2) or nickel (Ni-CD/TiO2) were synthesized via solid-state and wet-impregnation methods. Morphological characterization (HR-TEM, SEM-EDS) confirmed the anatase phase of TiO2 and the atomic dispersion of metal-integrated CDs on its surface. UV-vis DRS and XPS analyses revealed a marginal red shift in band-gap and the presence of sp2-hybridized graphitic carbon, and metal-carbon interactions, indicating enhanced light absorption and charge separation through Schottky junctions. Under direct sunlight illumination, Pd-CD/TiO2 thin film exhibited superior hydrogen yield (1167 mu mol g-1 h-1) and maintained stability over 25 h, outperforming Ni-CD/TiO2 (494 mu mol g-1 h-1) and bare TiO2 (166 mu mol g-1 h-1) photocatalyst thin films. Concurrent glycerol oxidation at neutral pH (pH similar to 7) yields glycolaldehyde (41\% selectivity), formic acid, and dihydroxyacetone as value-added products. Enhanced photocurrent density and lower impedance of Pd-CD/TiO2 corroborate improved charge carrier separation and dynamics. The results demonstrate that Pd-CD synergistically improves the photocatalytic performance of the Pd-CD/TiO2 for sustainable hydrogen generation and selective biomass valorization.

}, keywords = {Glycerol oxidation, Graphitic carbon dots, hydrogen production, Photocatalysis, titania}, issn = {1861-4728}, doi = {10.1002/asia.202500757}, author = {Abraham, Athira and Salgaonkar, Kranti N. and Nivedhitha, Thazhath R. and Ekal, Vishal Ashok and Kondhekar, Deepali and Chakraborty, Shubhankar and Gopinath, Chinnakonda S. and Saha, Avishek} } @article {49792, title = {Visible-light-driven photocatalytic glycerol oxidation to value-added and highly selective glyceric/lactic acid}, journal = {ChemiCatChem}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {SEP}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Achieving economical and sustainable artificial photosynthesis (APS) in direct sunlight for liquid fuel production with high efficiency remains an important challenge. A major obstacle in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) oxidation of organic compounds is attaining high selectivity with the desired product(s). This study introduces a novel strategy by integrating BiVO4 quantum dots (BVQDs), structurally and electronically, into the nanopores of commercial TiO2 (BVT for BVQDs integrated in pores of TiO2) to improve solar-driven photocatalysis. The band gap of the BVT photoanode decreases to 2.53 eV as compared to pure TiO2 (3.2 eV), which enhances visible light absorption and charge separation. BVT with Pt as a co-catalyst acts as an APS system, which selectively oxidizes glycerol into lactic acid (100\% selectivity at 1 mM glycerol) and glyceric acid (98\% selectivity at 100 mM), while simultaneously generating green hydrogen. Selectivity of the product can be further controlled by anaerobic or aerobic conditions as well as the length of the reaction time. Direct integration of BVQDs into TiO2 mesopores significantly enhances charge separation as well as utilization at redox sites. Current work provides key insights into optimizing photocatalytic conditions for highly selective value-added chemical production, which highlights the sustainability and efficacy of TiO2-based semiconductors with quantum dot integration.

}, keywords = {energy conversion, Energy storage, Photocatalysis, Quantum material, solar energy}, issn = {1867-3880}, doi = {10.1002/cctc.202500641}, author = {Kulkarni-Sambhare, Mukta and Salgaonkar, Kranti N. and Saha, Avishek and Gopinath, Chinnakonda S.} }