Carbon Defects as Highly Active Sites for Gold Detection and Recovery

ions are positively correlated with defect density, indicating that the quantitative control of carbon defect density is the key to enhancing reduction activity. Combining density functional theory (DFT) with XPS and FTIR technology, we found that the electron is transferred from CD to Au(III) via hydrogen bonding. This nano carbon material can be exploited to recover gold from e-waste water directly, with the characteristics of reducing energy consumption and avoiding environmental pollution.