SYNTHESIS OF CARBON QUANTUM DOTS – SILICA (FROM RICE HUSK) DECORATED TITANIUM DIOXIDE AS VISIBLE LIGHT DRIVEN PHOTOCATALYST FOR ACETAMINOPHEN REMOVAL

The presence of pharmaceutical compounds (i.e., acetaminophen) in the aquatic
environment has been declared as an environmental issue since researchers found that
it has potential risks to human health. Photocatalysis, as a promising method for waste
degradation, commonly employs TiO2 as the photocatalyst. However, TiO2 has
narrow light absorption and rapid charge recombination rate resulting in ineffective
photocatalytic activity. In this project, rice husk-derived carbon quantum dots – silica
(CQDs-silica) was decorated on TiO2 matrix through facile mixing approach to
minimize the limitations of TiO2.