One-step synthesis of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles for degradation of naphthol green under visible light

A novel solvothermal approach to synthesize fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) was developed by using citric acid and ammonium oxalateas as the carbon source, glycol as the solvent. The solution of the as-prepared CNPs emitted strong blue fluorescence under UV 365 nm, and the particles were well- dispersed with an average diameter of about 30-40 nm. The solution of the obtained CNPs was applied to photocatalytic degradation of naphthol green, and the decolorization rate is over 91% when the reaction time reaches more than 5 h under visible light in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.