Ultrasonic synthesis of high fluorescent C-dots and modified with CuWO4 nanocomposite for effective photocatalytic activity

•Graphitic like C-dots have been synthesized by facile ultrasonic method.•The diameter of C-dots is around ∼3.2 nm.•We developed a novel photocatalyst of C-dots/CuWO4 nanocomposite.•Photocatalytic performance of the corresponding catalyst was significantly enhanced.

High fluorescent C-dots were synthesized from dextrose via facile ultrasonic wave assisted reaction. Carbon dots (C-dots)/Copper tungstate (CuWO4) heterostructure has been prepared via a facile reflux approach. The novel C-dots/CuWO4 photocatalyst were characterized by using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–vis, photoluminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic property of heterostructure nanocomposite has also been investigated by using rhodamine B as a model organic pollutant. The obtained results revealed that as prepared C-dots are predominately multilayer graphene oxide with luminance properties. After incorporation of C-dots onto the CuWO4, it contributes to the improvement of charge separation and reduction of charge recombination and thereby enhancing the photocatalytic property, respectively. The C-dots in the nanocomposites can efficiently trap electrons, thus hindering the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. The heterostructure nanocomposite with 5.0 wt% C-dots shows the highest photocatalytic activity, which is about three times as that of pure CuWO4.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide