Photocatalytic performance of novel super-hydrophilic carbon quantum dots/Fe(NO₃)₃ composites for catalytic applications

This study presents the development of a new carbon quantum dot/ferric nitrate (CQD/Fe(NO3)(3)) composite featuring super-hydrophilic and fluorescent characteristics tailored for efficient photocatalytic applications. The material was syn-thesized through a rapid microwave-assisted process using different ratios of citric acid and ferric nitrate. Structural and morphological evaluations confirmed the successful formation of uniformly distributed CQDs on Fe(NO3)(3) flakes, with surface functional groups contributing to excellent water dispersibility and biocompatibility. Among the prepared samples, the 3:1:1 CQD/Fe(NO3)(3) composite displayed pronounced blue luminescence, a contact angle below 10 degrees, and outstanding photocatalytic activity, achieving 92% degradation of methyl orange under visible light within 30 min. The distinctiveness of this work arises from the creation of a super-hydrophilic, fluorescent CQD/Fe(NO3)(3) material synthesized via an ultra-fast microwave route-a combination not previously reported. Its rare blend of extremely low contact angle, strong lumi-nescence, and superior visible-light degradation efficiency demonstrates the composite's advanced multifunctional perfor-mance. Overall, the material shows strong promise for environmental remediation and potential bio-related applications.