The synthesis of highly active carbon dot-coated gold nanoparticles via the room-temperature in situ carbonization of organic ligands for 4-nitrophenol reduction.

Due to the serious pollution issue caused by 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), it is of great importance to design effective catalysts for its reduction. Here, a novel and simple strategy was developed for the synthesis of carbon dot-decorated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/CDs) via the in situ carbonization of organic ligands on AuNPs at room temperature. The enhanced adsorption of 4-NP on CDs via π-π stacking interactions provided a high concentration of 4-NP near AuNPs, leading to a more effective reduction of 4-NP.