Chapter 8 - Graphene-based organic-inorganic hybrid quantum dots for organic pollutants treatment

Abstract

The number of dyes, solvents, insecticides, and other organic contaminants with possibly cancer-causing effects in natural resources has increased significantly as a result of industrialization (food and beverage industry, paper industry, and agriculture). Investigating new semiconductor materials for pollutant removal and their photocatalytic properties is a demanding task. However, because photoactive materials are rarely used, new materials with photoactive properties must be tested. Due to their excellent solubility and low toxicity, in a variety of solvents, chemical inertness, good electrical characteristics, high specific surface areas, multiple edge sites for functionalization, and adaptability, graphene quantum dots are most the intriguing nanomaterials. They can also be changed using absorbent surface chemicals and the inclusion of modifiers or nanomaterials. The chapter focuses on the making of graphene quantum dots by explaining some of the (top-down and bottom-up approaches) using various materials and synthetic paths, as well as the possible mechanisms behind the degradation of organic waste, explaining the photogeneration of e− and h+ which are moving to catalytically active sites in GQD after photoexcitation, and the interface interaction of excited e− and h+.