TiO2 nanoparticles containing phthalocyanine as a visible light driven photocatalyst for degradation of thionine acetate in synthetic wastewater

In this research, preparation and photocatalytic performance of cobalt phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles (CoPcTs/TiO2) for the degradation of thionine (TH) under visible light was reported. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectra, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, nitrogen physisorption and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The obtained data revealed that the sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles have pure anatase phase with crystal size of approximately 9.5 nm and surface area of 141 m(2) g(-1). The experimental parameters such as catalyst dose, initial TH concentration and initial pH were studied. Maximum photodegradation of TH (more than 90%) was achieved within 120 min with the catalyst loading of 0.5 g L-1 and initial TH concentration of 10 mg L-1, in the condition of neutral pH under visible light. Only 40% degradation of the TH was obtained in the presence of pure TiO2. The photocatalytic degradation reactions followed first-order kinetics and the experiential rate constants changed with TH concentrations.