S, N Codoped Graphene Quantum Dots Embedded in (BiO)₂CO₃: Incorporating Enzymatic-like Catalysis in Photocatalysis

Abstract

In this study, S, N codoped graphene quantum dots/(BiO)₂CO₃ hollow microspheres have been fabricated by a facile electrostatic self-assembly method. The nanosized S, N:GQDs, which can be obtained by a bottom-up approach, are superior surface modification materials for photocatalytic applications due to their better electron transfer and peroxidase mimetic properties. The excellent oxidation property of the synthesized nanocomposite is confirmed by degradation of different model pollutants, such as rhodamine B, tetracycline, and bisphenol A under light irradiation or dark situation. Based on several experiments, the essential roles of S, N:GQDs can be described as (i) a photocarrier transport center strengthening photoinduced charge carriers (h⁺–e^–) separation and (ii) an enzymatic-like catalysis center to accelerate H₂O₂ decomposition to produce ·OH because the surface accumulation of H₂O₂ is harmful for photocatalytic processes. The present work may pave the way for integrating enzymatic-like cocatalysis into a photocatalytic process to generate more reactive oxygen species, thus advancing the field of environmental remediation and synthetic chemistry