The development of efficient photocatalytic electrodes holds immense promise for addressing environmental challenges. This study investigates the enhanced photocatalytic activity of a microwave-synthesized hybrid nanocomposite, emphasizing its potential contribution to sustainable environmental remediation efforts. A hybrid nanocomposite was synthesized via a one-pot microwave-based method, combining carbon nanodots (CNDs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for methylene blue photodegradation. The CNDs were synthesized from D-glucose precursor with a yield of 17.3%, while ZnO NPs had a higher yield of 27.7%. The hybrid (ZnO/CNDs) was formed with a 24.4% yield, leading to a size over 60 nm, indicating successful adsorption of CNDs on ZnO surfaces. This hybridization improved photocatalytic properties, decreasing the band gap from 3 to 2.1 eV, and enhancing visible light photocatalysis. Furthermore, thin film electrodes of ZnO and hybrid materials were prepared on glass slides by spin coating. The hybrid electrode demonstrated a 70% degradation efficiency of methylene blue, surpassing ZnO (59%) after 120 minutes of light exposure. Its rate constant was 0.01162 min^-1 compared to ZnO's 0.00943 min^-1, with an apparent quantum yield of 0.023 (hybrid) vs. 0.019 (ZnO). Stability tests confirmed sustained efficiency over multiple cycles, highlighting the electrodes' environmental and economic benefits in sustainable photodegradation applications.

Title

particle and particle system characterization

Publisher

Wiley

Publisher Country

United States of America

Indexing

Thomson Reuters

Impact Factor

2.7

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

--

Year

2025

Pages

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