Issue 9, 2018

Phosphorus induced crystallinity in carbon dots for solar light assisted seawater desalination

Abstract

A highly ordered crystalline structure in carbon dots (Cdots) can substantially enhance the gamut of their applications in conversion, transfer and transport of energy; however, achievement of such crystallinity in a controlled manner has been elusive. We report here a facile method for the synthesis of highly crystalline doped Cdots of an average size of 2.8 ± 0.8 nm, that contain nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus heteroatoms (N,S,P-Cdots). The extent of crystallinity was dependent on the phosphorus content in the doped Cdots. We attempt to understand the nature of phosphorus doping into carbon nanostructures (N,S,P-Cdots) via spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Based on computational refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern via the LeBail method we propose an orthorhombic crystal structure for N,S,P-Cdots. Importantly, the crystallinity in N,S,P-Cdots significantly enhanced the bulk solar photothermal evaporation efficiency to 83.6%. This phenomenon was further applied towards successful and efficient solar-based seawater desalination.

Graphical abstract: Phosphorus induced crystallinity in carbon dots for solar light assisted seawater desalination

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
20 nov 2017
Accepted
27 jan 2018
First published
29 jan 2018

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018,6, 4111-4118

Phosphorus induced crystallinity in carbon dots for solar light assisted seawater desalination

A. Pal, G. Natu, K. Ahmad and A. Chattopadhyay, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018, 6, 4111 DOI: 10.1039/C7TA10224K

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