Simple modification of titanium(IV) oxide for the preparation of a reusable photocatalyst

Titanium dioxide is extensively researched due to its interesting photoactive properties. One of such is photocatalysis and potential use in photoremediation. New photocatalysts based on titania and metallated phthalocyanines potentially suitable for photodecomposition of environmental pollutants were developed in the presented work. The obtained materials were characterized using various techniques, such as thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, particle size analysis, electron spin resonance, BET surface area measurements, and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the photoremediation potential of hybrid materials was studied in ibuprofen and naproxen solutions. During the photocatalytic experiments, it was found that the use of copper(II) phthalocyanine resulted in 92% removal of ibuprofen within six hours, whereas zinc(II) phthalocyanine deposited on titania was able to decompose 94% of naproxen within two hours. Post-reaction solutions were subjected to acute toxicity assay using Microtox. The photocatalysts were found to be non-mutagenic in the Ames test, proving their usefulness and safety in photoremediation.