CARBON QUANTUM DOTS EMBEDDED ZRO2/TIO2/ZNO TRIMETALLIC NANOCOMPOSITES FOR HIGH- PERFORMANCE WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

The present invention mainly focuses on the development of newly prepared Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) doped Zr02/TiOJZnO trimetallic nanocomposites with excellent efficiency for wastewater treatment. Thus, the improved antibacterial activity together with Lh~ photocatalytic activity demonstrated by the suggested nanocomposites under sunlight I UV light shall be required for their proper application in the treatment of industrial wastewater. Such synergetic capabilities of CQDs combined with features from Zr02, Ti02, and ZnO would indeed support the incorporation of very high destructions of harmful bacteria and organic contaminations. The clause also provides for the process of preparing these nanocomposites and applying them for detoxifying treatment of contaminated water sources.

Specification

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
I. Field of the invention
This invention deals with the synthesis and application of trimetallic nanocomposites
consisting of doped carbon quantum dots (CQDs)-ZrD2/TiOJZnO to demonstrate highly efficient
removal of industrial effluent. This material is very effective in removing organic, ancl inorganic
pollutants from water that contain immense industrial activity by developing iis superior
photocatalytic properties, adsorption capacity, and immense reusability also it has antibacterial
activity against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and other relevant bacteria in industrial effluent.
2. Background of the invention
The environment receives huge volumes of industries' effluents as wastewater. Such
pollutants include organic chemicals, heavy metals, and microorganisms that have caused significant
dangers to human health and the ecosystem. Chemical precipitation and filtration are among the most
common conventional treatment methods that either cannot effectively remove such contaminants or
are very costly. Recent promises with nanotechnology in wastewater treatment include problems with
cost-effectiveness and improvements in stability and efficiency.
As such, nanocomposites of multiple metal oxides have properties like high surface area,
catalytic efficiency, and photocatalytic activity under visible light that make them promising potential
solutions. Apart from this, the carbon 4uantum dots' usc provides better light absorption, along with
better electron transport characteristics. Bearing these advantages in mind, the current invention takes
priority by recommending CQD-encapsulated ZrD2/TiOJZnO trimetallic nanocomposites enhanced
performances in treating industrial wastewater. It also shows enhanced antibacterial activity.
3. Summary of the Invention
This invention shows a new CQD-ZrD2/Ti02/ZnO trimetallic nanocomposite that might solve
problems associated with the mainstream treatment of wastewater. The novel material presented here
essentially consists
>- Photocatalytic Activity: The photocatalytic activity may be anticipated to be enhanced in the
visible light irradiated-based CQD-embedded nanocomposite due to the narrowing effect of
the band gap, which enhances the degradation efficiency for organic contaminant removal.
>- The incorporation ofCQDs in the trimetallic system has improved antibiotic activity against
some common waterborne pathogens.
>- Environmental Application: Industrial wastewater is the best application for the
nanocomposite, possibly because the material can efficiently remove a wide spectrum of
"pollutants.
>- Synthesis Method: A hybrid of hydrothermal method is used for making the invention in an
attempt to combine the advantages of having an economical approach and scalability in
synthesizing the CQD-ZrD2/TiOJZnO nanocomposite.



Specifications
4.1 Composition

The nanocomposite is formed from the dispersion of carbon quantum dots in a matrix of
zirconium dioxide, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide (Figure- I). The material has:
~ Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs): The CQDs function as electron donors that efficiently
separate photogenerated electron-hole pairs, reducing recombination and enhancing
photocatalytic efficiency under visible light. The CQDs make the material absorb visible light
more significantly.
~ Zirconium dioxide (ZrOz): Zr02 provides the composite with thermal stability and structural
strength. With surface properties, efficient adsorption of the heavy metals is achievable in
wastewater.
~ Titanium Dioxide (TiO,): Ti02 is a well-known photocatalyst that presents UV light-driven
degradation of organic pollutants. The addition of Ti02 in the nanocomposite would ensure
the material degrades both within the UV as well as in the visible light spectrum.
~ Zinc Oxide (ZnO): ZnO brings in higher catalytic and antimicrobial activity into the
nanocomposite. Its semiconductor nature allows for an increase in electron mobility within
the material.

This will improve the performance of the deposition of the composite mainly asan increase
in the absorption of light, a reduction in the recombination rate· of free electrons and holes, and a
significantly increased efficiency of charge separation.


DESCRIPTION
Method of preparation
The synthesis route of the nanocomposite was developed by a facile hydrothermal process.
•:• Step 1: Synthesis of carbon quantum dots CQDs are synthesized from a carbon rich precursor,
namely citric acid, by carrying a hydrothermal reaction at a high temperature for several
hours.
•:• Step 2: Preparation of trimetallic oxide nanocomposite: The ZnO, Ti02 and Zr02
nanoparticles in the water-borne suspension were sonicated to result in a uniform solution.
[•:• ]Step 3: Incorporation ofCQDs The CQDs produced were added to the metal oxide solution.
The resulting mixture was subjected to ultrasonication again for the homogeneous insertion
of the CQDs into the metal oxide matrix. The resulting solution was then dried and calcined
at 400°C to get the CQD-embedded nanocomposite.
~.3 Efficienc.y of Wastewater Treatment
>- Photocatalysis: The nanocomposite containing CQD absorbs visible and ultraviolet light and
hence it is seen to produce electron-hole pairs. The removal of heavy metals and other various
pollutants is attributed by electrons, and holes are used to degrade organic pollutants ..
>- Adsorption: Organic pollutants, such as dyes and pesticides, along with heavy metals like
lead, cadmium, and mercury, are easily adsorbed together by the Zr02, TiOz, and ZnO due to
their large surface area and chemical properties.
>- Elimination of harmful.pollutants: Organic pollutant degradation in the experiment was up
to 85-95% after 3 h treatment.



CLAIM
We Claim
> Enhanced Performance in the treatment of wastewater application, a carbon quantum dots
doped Zt{h/TiOz/ZnO trimetallic nanocomposite.
> The nanocomposite of claim I, wherein the nanocomposite exhibits high photocatalytic
activity under visible light.
> The nanocomposite of claim I wherein the carbon quantum dots mcrease the charge
separation and reduces the recombination of electron-hole.
> The nanocomposite of claim I can shows an increase in the antibacterial activity towards E.
coli and Staphylococcus aureus by as much as up to 99.9 percent after activation.
> Synthesis route of nanocomposite synthesis by hydrothermal routes.

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