In the last decade, carbon quantum dots (CQDs), a novel class of carbon-based nanomaterials, have received increasing attention due to their distinct properties. Carbon Quantum Dots/Titanium Dioxide (CQDs/TiO2) Nanocomposites were reported as potent compounds against SARS-COV-2. In this manuscript, citric acid is the carbon precursor used to synthesize carbon quantum dots (CQDs). Using a green approach, the synthesized CQD fabricates the Carbon Quantum Dots/Titanium Dioxide (CQDs/TiO2) Nanocomposites. Synthesized composites were characterized by using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). Methylene blue was used to check the Photocatalytic activity of synthesized (CQDs/TiO2) nanocomposites of different concentrations. Computational modeling of agglomerates of CQD and TiO2 nanoparticles with the formula TiO2…….. Ti253O506 demonstrated two stages of the nanocomposite formation, including the formation of agglomerates with the neutral and salt-like structures with the total gain in the Gibbs free energy - 38.397 kcal/mole. In silico, Molecular docking studies of citric acid were evaluated against SARS-COV-2 protein to understand their mechanism and key amino acid interactions along with standard drug remdesivir. The photocatalytic activity of CQDs/TiO2 showed extremely promising results. Based on this study, the proposed mechanism of action of these compounds is reported. A detailed investigation of CQDs/TiO2 against SARS-CoV-2 is needed, which is another part of the research in our next manuscript.
The growing prevalence of new toxins in the environment continues to cause widespread concerns. Pharmaceuticals, organic pollutants, heavy metal ions, endocrine-disrupting substances, microorganisms, and others are examples of persistent organic chemicals whose effects are unknown because they have recently entered the environment and are displaying up in wastewater treatment facilities. Pharmaceutical pollutants in discharged wastewater have become a danger to animals, marine species, humans, and the environment. Although their presence in drinking water has generated significant concerns, little is known about their destiny and environmental effects. As a result, there is a rising need for selective, sensitive, quick, easy-to-handle, and low-cost early monitoring detection systems. This study aims to deliver an overview of a low-cost carbon-based composite to detect and remove pharmaceutical components from wastewater using the literature reviews and bibliometric analysis technique from 1970 to 2021 based on the web of science (WoS) database. Various pollutants in water and soil were reviewed, and different methods were introduced to detect pharmaceutical pollutants. The advantages and drawbacks of varying carbon-based materials for sensing and removing pharmaceutical wastes were also introduced. Finally, the available techniques for wastewater treatment, challenges and future perspectives on the recent progress were highlighted. The suggestions in this article will facilitate the development of novel on-site methods for removing emerging pollutants from pharmaceutical effluents and commercial enterprises.