Novel up-conversion carbon quantum dots/α-FeOOH nanohybrids eliminate tetracycline and its related drug resistance in visible-light responsive Fenton system

In this study, novel up-converted carbon quantum dots (CQD) incorporated goethite (α-FeOOH) nanohybrids (CQDs/α-FeOOH) were fabricated via a facile hydrolysis method. CQDs/α-FeOOH exhibited remarkably degradation efficiency towards tetracycline (TC, 0.1503 min^-1), approximately 3.7 times than pristine α-FeOOH with much lower amount of H₂O₂ (0.5 mM) under visible light irradiation (λ＞420 nm). The quenching and electron spin resonance (ESR) tests proved ·OH, O₂·- and ¹O₂ were involved in TC degradation in CQDs/α-FeOOH catalyzed Fenton system. The potential Ultraviolet-Visible-Infrared (UV–vis-IR) broad-spectrum responsive properties of CQDs/α-FeOOH were proved in degradation various surface charged organic contaminants regarding the function of coupling up-conversion CQDs. CQDs/α-FeOOH also exhibited wide application pH, excellent durability, fairly good catalytic performance within different practical water matrices and completely eliminated related drug resistance of TC even under real solar-light conditions. The good biocompatibility makes CQDs/α-FeOOH served as a promising photocatalyst for remediation of water contamination with efficient utilization of solar energy.