Highly Efficient Biomass Derived Carbon Quantum Dots as Metal Free Green Photocatalyst for Degradation of Dyes

The demand for wastewater treatment for a sustainable future has provoked the development of an ecologically acceptable photocatalytic approach. However, exploration of highly efficient green metal free catalyst for photocatalytic dye degradation under normal light is yet challenging. In this work, the prepared sericin derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are presented as green photocatalyst for the degradation of well-known hazardous dyes namely crystal violet and Rhodamine-B under normal light. Using several radical scavenging agents, the mechanism involved in photocatalytic activity of CQDs is demonstrated. This novel photocatalyst offers a well alternative for the degradation and mineralization of organic dyes with a good efficiency.