Open AccessFacile and Green Synthesis of Silver Quantum Dots Immobilized onto a Polymeric CTS–PEO Blend for the Photocatalytic Degradation of p-Nitrophenol
Author(s) -
Fares T. Alshorifi,
Abdullah A. Alswat,
Mohammed A. Mannaa,
Mohammed T. Alotaibi,
Salah M. ElBahy,
Reda S. Salama
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acs omega
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.779
H-Index - 40
ISSN - 2470-1343
DOI - 10.1021/acsomega.1c03735
Subject(s) - materials science , photocatalysis , quantum dot , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , thermogravimetric analysis , polymer , chemical engineering , 4 nitrophenol , noble metal , visible spectrum , nanoparticle , composite material , catalysis , nanotechnology , metal , organic chemistry , chemistry , optoelectronics , metallurgy , engineering
Immobilization of inorganic metal quantum dots (especially, noble transition metals) onto organic polymers to synthesize nanometal-polymer composites (NMPCs) has attracted considerable attention because of their advanced optical, electrical, catalytic/photocatalytic, and biological properties. Herein, novel, highly efficient, stable, and visible light-active NMPC photocatalysts consisting of silver quantum dots (Ag QDs) immobilized onto polymeric chitosan-polyethylene oxide (CTS-PEO) blend sheets have been successfully prepared by an in situ self-assembly facile casting method as a facile and green approach. The CTS-PEO blend polymer acts as a reducing and a stabilizing agent for Ag QDs which does not generate any environmental chemical pollutant. The prepared x wt % Ag QDs/CTS-PEO composites were fully characterized through X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis, and UV/visible spectroscopy. The characterization results indicated the successful synthesis of the Ag QDs/CTS-PEO composites by the interactions and complexation between x wt % Ag QDs and CTS-PEO blend sheets. TEM images revealed small granules randomly distributed onto the CTS-PEO blend sheets, indicating the immobilization of Ag QDs onto CTS-PEO composites. The presence of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band and the shifting of the absorption edge toward higher wavelengths in the UV/vis spectra indicated the formation of x wt % Ag QDs/CTS-PEO composites. The Ag QDs in the polymeric blend matrix led to remarkable enhancement in the optical, thermal, electrical, and photocatalytic properties of x wt % Ag QDs/CTS-PEO composites. The photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared composites was evaluated by the photodegradation of p -nitrophenol (PNP) under simulated sunlight. The maximum photocatalytic degradation reached 91.1% efficiency within 3 h for the 12.0 wt % Ag QDs/CTS-PEO photocatalyst. Generally, the Ag QDs immobilized onto CTS-PEO blend composites significantly enhance the SPR effect and the synergistic effect and reduce the band gap, leading to a high photocatalytic activity.