Synthesis of Ag/E-CDs/Fe3O4 based on carbon dot derived from eggshell membrane and its performance of catalytic reduction

Ag/E-CDs/Fe3O4 composites (ECIA) were synthesized by hydrothermal and photocatalytic two-step process using FeCl3•6H2O, urea and AgNO3 as raw materials and carbon quantum dots as reducing agent. E-CDs/Fe3O4 was first prepared by using the surface rich functional groups of carbon quantum dots (CDs) derived from eggshell membrane (E-CDs). Then, silver particles were further deposited onto the surface of E-CDs/Fe3O4 under the light illumination. The products were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM and photoluminescence (PL). The catalytic reduction properties of the as-synthesized Ag/E-CDs/Fe3O4 composites (ECIA) were investigated using 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) as a probe pollutant in water. The effects of silver content, catalytic dosage and initial concentration of 4-NP on the reduction of 4-NP were investigated. The results showed that the cooperation of E-CDs/Fe3O4 and silver particles enhanced the catalytic activity of the catalyst, while the excessive content of silver content in the composite led to the decrease of catalytic activity of the catalyst. Especially, the catalytic activity of ECIA-2 sample prepared using 2 mg of AgNO3 was the best. The reduction and degradation of 4-NP was in accordance with the first-order kinetic reaction, and ki was 0.6441 min-1. © 2021, Editorial Office of FINE CHEMICALS. All right reserved.