Carbon-based quantum dots (QDs) modified ms/tz-BiVO4 heterojunction with enhanced photocatalytic performance for water purification

•Two carbon-based QDs, CNQDs and NCQDs were modified with BiVO4 heterojunctions to improve photocatalytic performance.•Quantum dots on BiVO4 heterojunction can act as an effective concerted catalyst and be used as the reaction sites.•The CNQDs-ms/tz-BiVO4 and NCQDs-ms/tz-BiVO4 composites showed enhanced photocatalytic performance. [Display omitted] In this article, two carbon-based quantum dots, carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs) and nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs), were modified with BiVO4 heterojunctions to improve photocatalytic performance. When CNQDs-ms/tz-BiVO4 or NCQDs-ms/tz-BiVO4 is used as a photocatalyst for Rhodamine B (Rh B) photodegradation, the activity can be significantly improved compared with pure ms-BiVO4 and ms/tz-BiVO4. The ms/tz-BiVO4 heterojunction can valid speed-up the photoinduced charge separation and inhibition of interfacial charge recombination. In addition, quantum dots on BiVO4 heterojunction are able to act as an effective concerted catalyst to enhance the light harvesting efficiency and be used as the reaction sites, and thus cause the improved activity for Rh B photodegradation.