Premium
Cu–N Dopants Boost Electron Transfer and Photooxidation Reactions of Carbon Dots
Author(s) -
Wu Wenting,
Zhan Liying,
Fan Weiyu,
Song Jizhong,
Li Xiaoming,
Li Zhongtao,
Wang Ruiqin,
Zhang Jinqiang,
Zheng Jingtang,
Wu Mingbo,
Zeng Haibo
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201501912
Subject(s) - dopant , pyrolytic carbon , photocatalysis , electron transfer , doping , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , carbon fibers , photochemistry , materials science , absorption (acoustics) , chemistry , catalysis , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , pyrolysis , optoelectronics , composite number , engineering , composite material
The broadband light‐absorption ability of carbon dots (CDs) has inspired their application in photocatalysis, however this has been impeded by poor electron transfer inside the CDs. Herein, we report the preparation of Cu–N‐doped CDs (Cu‐CDs) and investigate both the doping‐promoted electron transfer and the performance of the CDs in photooxidation reactions. The Cu–N doping was achieved through a one‐step pyrolytic synthesis of CDs with Na 2 [Cu(EDTA)] as precursor. As confirmed by ESR, FTIR, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies, the Cu species chelates with the carbon matrix through Cu–N complexes. As a result of the Cu–N doping, the electron‐accepting and ‐donating abilities were enhanced 2.5 and 1.5 times, and the electric conductivity was also increased to 171.8 μs cm −1 . As a result of these enhanced properties, the photocatalytic efficiency of CDs in the photooxidation reaction of 1,4‐dihydro‐2,6‐dimethylpyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylate is improved 3.5‐fold after CD doping.