Cobalt/carbon quantum dots core-shell nanoparticles as an improved catalyst for Fenton-like reaction

Cobalt /carbon quantum dots nanoparticles are prepared by a facile synthesis route. The synthesized material is characterized by UV-Vis and PL spectroscopy, FT-IR, cyclic voltammetry, SEM and TEM. These nanomaterials consist of spheres of CoNP surrounded by CQD. This material is studied as a catalyst of the Fenton-like reaction to degrade polypropylene microplastics and compared with nude CoNP. The optimal conditions are obtained, and the mechanism is also studied concluding that the •OH is the most important radical involved in the degradation. The core-shell structure is advantageous since the vicinity of the functional groups present in the CQD can form hydrogen bonds with H2O2, enhancing the charge transfer to Co2+/Co3+ and/or peroxides formed on the surface making the catalysts more efficient. Besides, the CQD strong reduction effect accelerates the Co2+/Co3+ cycle.