Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using carbon dots-modified copper chloride hydroxide nanocomposite

The dye organic pollutants with utilization in chemical industries have been discharged into the environment, causing the water pollution and human disease. Therefore, developing a cheap, reliable and sustainable wastewater cleaning technology is of great importance. Transitional metal is often one of the active photocatalysts for degradation of dye pollution. Among them, Cu has attracted attention due to low price and catalytic activity. In this article, we took Cu sheets as raw materials and used a simple salting-out method to prepare Cu 2 Cl(OH) 3 nanocomposites, which exhibited a photocurrent response under the UV light. At the same time, the structural transformation process from Cu sheet to nanoparticle Cu 2 Cl(OH) 3 was observed over time. The results showed that Cu 2 Cl(OH) 3 displayed significant photocurrent response. In addition, in order to further improve its catalytic performance, Cu 2 Cl(OH) 3 was modified by different concentrations of carbon dots (CDs) and a wide UV light absorption received. Corresponding to it, 1CDs@OHCu was efficient to the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) within 3 h compared to the mother sample. The physical properties of prepared samples were studied through XRD, UV–vis spectra, SEM, etc. The related kinetic rate of the process of degrading MB was recorded to determine the role of CDs. The intermediates produced during the photo-reaction was monitored via the chemical trapping agent. By analyzing the characteristics and electrochemical features of prepared samples, the catalytic active center was explored. Finally, stability analysis showed that 1CDs@OHCu could be recycled at least 8 times.