Green Synthesized Carbon Quantum Dots From Bauhinia variegata for Photocatalytic Degradation and Antimicrobial Application

Abstract

In this present work, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized using Bauhinia variegata, employing a simple hydrothermal method. These CQDs were characterized by various complementary techniques, such as XRD, TEM, SEM, Photoluminescence (PL), and FTIR. TEM analysis revealed that the sizes of CQDs are in the range of 2 to 9 nm, with an average size of 3.1 ± 1.52 nm. The XRD analysis of CQD@BVs shows the amorphous nature of the synthesized material. Further EDX was performed for the elemental composition of the synthesized material. The photoluminescence spectra of synthesized CQDs show maximum emission of 458 nm at the excitation of 370 nm. The quantum yield was calculated to be 1.59%. To establish the antibacterial activity, these CQDs were tested against Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, the CQD@BVs was studied for their photocatalytic potential for the model organic pollutant methylene blue (MB) under natural light.