title: Efficient photocatalytic degradation of ibuprofen in aqueous solution using novel visible-light responsive graphene quantum dot/AgVO3 nanoribbons.
abstract: Single crystalline, non-toxicity, and long-term stability graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were modified onto the AgVO3 nanoribbons by a facile hydrothermal and sintering technique which constructs a unique heterojunction photocatalyst. Characterization results indicate that GQDs are well dispersed on the surface of AgVO3 nanoribbons and GQD/AgVO3 heterojunctions are formed, which can greatly promote the separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs under visible light irradiation. By taking advantage of this feature, the GQD/AgVO3 heterojunctions exhibit considerable improvement on the photocatalytic activities for the degradation of ibuprofen (IBP) under visible light irradiation as compared to pure AgVO3. The photocatalytic activity of GQD/AgVO3 heterojunctions is relevant with GQD ratio and the optimal activity is obtained at 3wt% with the highest separation efficiency of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Integrating the physicochemical and photocatalytic properties, the factors controlling the photocatalytic activity of GQD/AgVO3 heterojunctions are discussed in detail. Moreover, potential photocatalytic degradation mechanisms of IBP via GQD/AgVO3 heterojunctions under visible light are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhen-Dong
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Applied Radiation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China.
authors.forename: Jia-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China. Electronic address: wangl@shu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Applied Radiation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiong-Yu
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Applied Radiation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Applied Radiation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China. Electronic address: tang1liang@shu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D006108:Graphite; D007052:Ibuprofen
keywords: AgVO(3) nanoribbons; Degradation pathways; Graphene quantum dots; Heterojunction photocatalyst; Ibuprofen