Studies On Cu In S Quantum Dot Functionalised Materials For Photocatalytic Energy Generation And Environmental Remediation

Abstract

Title of the thesis: Studies on Cu- In-SQuantum Dot Functionalised Materials for newlinePhotocatalytic Energy Generation and Environmental Remediation newlineNon-stoichiometric Quantum Dots (QDs) have gathered wide attention in advance newlineoxidation process for environmental remediation due to its ability to generate highly newlinereactive oxygen active species. Herein, a series of promising non-stoichiometric CuxIn1- newlinexS QDs were fabricated via. reflux method and examined towards the degradation of newlinegemifloxacin (GMF) under visible light. Cu0.75In0.25S QD depicts the optimum activity newlinetowards GMF degradation (95% in 2 h, Rate const=258×10-4 min-1) with a TOC (total newlineorganic carbon) efficiency of 70% due to the non-stoichiometric arrangement of Cu and newlineIn metals, which not only promoted the spatial excitons separation efficiency but also newlinebestowed the reducing power of photo-induced electrons as supported by the required newlinecharacterization. Further, the compositional ratio and phase pure chalcopyrite CuxIn1-xS newlineQDs indicates well formation of the composition tunable materials. Additionally, an indepth newlinestudy was made to figure out the effect of anion and pH over degradation newlineefficiency. Moreover, scavenging experiment illustrates, O2 newline- and OH (indirect newlineroute) radicals play a dominant role in GMF degradation whereas the cycling test newlinemanifests long term durability of Cu0.75In0.25S QD. Eventually, the degradation route was newlinetraced by recognizing the intermediate products via. LC-MS study. This research newlineprovides an innovative platform for efficient photocatalytic pollutant degradation of nonstoichiometric newlineCuxIn1-xS QD for a sustainable environment. newline