Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide Concentration to Fluorescence Properties of Carbon Dot from HDPE

Abstract

This research paper describes the effect of hydrogen peroxide concentrations (0; 1; 3; 5 and 7 wt%) on fluorescence properties of carbon dots (CDs) from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. Synthesis of CDs has been carried out using modified pyrolysis and hydrothermal methods. The CDs obtained were characterized by FTIR, XRD, UV-Visible and fluorescence spectrophotometer. Based on UV-Visible spectra, the maximum wavelength of carbon dot ranges from 287 to 291 nm, indicating there is an π -π* electron transition belonging to the core site (C=C), then the absorption widens to 400 nm which indicated n-π* electron transition relating to the CDs surface functional group (carbonyl, hydroxyl, and carboxyl). The use of hydrogen peroxide (5 wt%) can produce CDs with the best fluorescence properties based on fluorescence spectra. CDs has a structure like graphite which is rich in functional groups on its surface. The photocatalytic activity of carbon dot has been tested and it showed that CDs can degrade methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light (80.3%).