Synthesis of an efficient photocatalyst by incorporation of phthalocyanine into KIT-6

Abstract

The three dimensional KIT-6 with interconnected channels was synthesized and was used for uploading sulphonated copper phthalocyanine (CuPcS). Grafting of CuPcS to the walls of KIT-6 was performed by anchorage of 3-(aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane onto KIT-6 via post-synthesis method. Exploitation of dimethyl sulfoxide as solvent caused a high amount of CuPcS to be loaded onto KIT-6. The CuPcS/NH2-KIT-6 was comprehensively characterized using small-angle X-ray diffraction, nitrogen BET and BJH physisorption, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, FTIR, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray and transmission electron microscopy methods. The photocatalyst was tested for degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) in aqueous solutions under visible and UV-A light irradiation. The results obtained reveal that a very low amount of the photocatalyst can progressively and efficiently proceed degradation of DCP. The decomposition process is completed within about 3 h using a dose of 0.2 g/L of the catalyst under visible light. The reusability of the catalyst is fine and there is not any obvious reduction in its activity following four cycles of repeated use. The kinetics of photodegradation and the intermediates products were studied and the mechanism of the photocatalyst was clarified upon the obtained results.