Role of nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots on CuO nano-leaves as solar induced photo catalyst

A p-type transition metal oxide, copper oxide (CuO) was modified with nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) to fabricate an effective CuO/NCQDs solar driven photo catalyst. The fabrication of single phase monoclinic CuO was confirmed by XRD. SEM images showed the leaf like morphology for CuO which appeared rough and densely packed in CuO/NCQDs composites. TEM images of CuO/NCQDs shows slightly distorted nano-leaves with NCQDs dispersed on them. HRTEM of CuO/NCQDs shows fringes with characteristic planes confirming that the addition of NCQDs has not distorted the crystal structure of CuO. SAED of CuO/NCQDs further confirms the crystalline nature of the as synthesized composite photo catalyst by exhibiting bright diffraction rings. These results further supported the XRD data. EDS spectra of NCQDs and CuO/NCQDs confirm the formation of pure nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots and Cu, N, C and O atoms confirming that NCQDs are well incorporated on CuO Nano leaves. UV–Vis spectra showed a slight increase of band gap energies due to quantum confinement effects. PL spectra exhibited decreased photoluminescence intensity indicating suppression of recombination rate. The developed photocatalyst was applied for the degradation of harmful dye methyl orange. The composite catalyst showed superior degradation efficiency as compared to pure CuO nano-leaves attributed to enhanced visible light absorption and better charge separation ability due to introduction of NCQDs. [Display omitted] •NCQDs based highly solar efficient photo catalyst is fabricated by facile route of wet chemical method.•The surface roughness of CuO nano leaves is observed due to NCQDs which provide more active sites.•The quantum confinement effects of NCQDs tuned the bandgap of the CuO nanostructures.•NCQDs modified photo catalyst highly quenched photoluminescence indicating efficient charge separation.•This enhanced photocatalytic activity of CuO/NCQDs is attributed to the availability of active sites and charge separation.