Carbon quantum dots-modified TiO2 nanoparticles for antibacterial applications

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were prepared by top-down hydrothermal method by corn stalks as a carbon source. The CQDs were composited with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) to improve its antibacterial properties under visible light. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by UV–Vis, EA, PL, TEM, XRD, FT-IR and XPS. PL analysis showed that the prepared CQDs had good upconversion fluorescence properties. FTIR and XPS demonstrated that the CQDs were successfully loaded onto the surface of TiO 2 , which were connected by C-O-Ti bonds. Finally, the effect of CQDs on the photocatalytic and antimicrobial properties of TiO 2 was evaluated.