Flower-like nanocomposite of carbon quantum dots, MoS2, and dendritic Ag-based Z-scheme type photocatalysts for effective tartrazine degradation

Nanocomposites of carbon quantum dots, molybdenum disulfide, and dendritic silver (MoS2/CQD/dendritic Ag) were synthesized via a facile and inexpensive procedure and utilized to investigate photocatalytic degradation of tartrazine (TZN) in aqueous medium. The nanocomposites and their individual components were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), mapping, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS). The optimum conditions for TZN degradation obtained were TZN concentration of 20 mg/L and a solution pH of 6.5. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and photoluminescence (PL) analysis were employed to evaluate the TZN degradation by the prepared MoS2/CQD/dendritic Ag nanocomposites. XRD of CQDs, MoS2 and Ag NPs showed amorphous, hexagonal phase and face-centered cubic structures, respectively. Band gaps of 3.3 and 1.9 eV for CQDs and MoS2, respectively as obtained from UV–Vis DRS. The enhanced photo-degradation of TZN was achieved due to the synergistic effects between the nanocomposite constituents. Complete degradation of TZN occurred within 30 min with a rate constant value of 0.172 min−1, wherein oxygen radicals played a significant role compared to other species during the process of degradation.