Effective photodegradation of organic pollutantsin the presence of mono and bi-metallic complexes under visible-light irradiation

Abstract

The synthesis of new mono and bi-metallic complexes such as Zn (II) and Ag-Zn (II) complexes with organic functional group-based ligand (OFL) presented in the current work along with the exploration of their applicability in the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes under visible-light irradiation. The Zn (II) complex obtained from organic functional group-based ligands, complexed with the donor atoms such as S and N under solvothermal conditions and Ag-Zn (II) complex formed through Ag ions complexed with pyridine ring nitrogen atom. These Zn(II)-complexes were systematically analyzed using the physicochemical studies and other spectroscopic techniques. From these facts, it is clarified that the complexes show square planar geometry with organic functional group-based ligands coordination via mercapto and azomethine groups. The reported complexes were used for the photodegradation of standard organic dye pollutants used in various textile and food processing industries. The complex [Ag-Zn(DCMPPT)(H2O)(OAc)] shows higher photocatalytic activity than [Zn(DCMPPT)(H2O)] because of the high surface area, low bandgap energy and further visible-light available for the initiation of ●OH radicals. To identify the active species in the photocatalytic process, the mechanism process also reported for the fast photodegradation of organic dye pollutants in the existence of some radical quenchers.