Enhanced photocatalytic activity of N, P, co-doped carbon quantum dots: An insight from experimental and computational approach

Herein, we demonstrate the single-step microwave radiation assisted approach to develop Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorous (P) co-doped carbon quantum dots (NP-CQD). The developed NP-CQD showed enhancement in visible light photocatalytic activity towards methylene blue dye degradation than that of N-CQD and P-CQD due to creation of energy states and reduced work function as estimated by Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and corroborated by first-principles Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. •N and P were co-doped to CQD by microwave radiation assisted method.•NP-CQD showed enhancement in visible light photocatalytic activity.•DFT calculations showed the decrease in work function of NP-CQD.•P-CQD showed improved photocatalytic activity than N-CQD.