One step, microwave assisted green synthesis of biocompatible carbon quantum dots and their composites with [α−PW12O403−] for visible light photocatalysis.

Abstract

We report a simple, rapid and green route for synthesis of fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) by microwave assisted pyrolysis method using polyleucine polymer (Boc-L-Leu-HEMA) as precursor and self-passivating agent. The as synthesized CQDs were found to possess low cytotoxicity, thus making them suitable candidates for bio- imaging and bio-labelling. Moreover, nanocomposites of as prepared CQDs with [α-PW12O403-] polyoxometalate were synthesized and were shown to possess excellent photocatalytic properties under visible light towards degradation of organic dye pollutants. Based on the control experiments, a suitable mechanism has been proposed to explain the remarkable photoactivity of the CQD/[α-PW12O403-] composites.