Cu(II) porphyrins modified TiO2 photocatalysts: Accumulated patterns of Cu(II) porphyrin molecules on the surface of TiO2 and influence on photocatalytic activity

• Two new crystal structures of copper porphyrins containing meso-tetra(ester and carboxyl) were obtained.
• The two copper porphyrins were used to modify TiO2 for the first time.
• The accumulated patterns of copper porphyrin molecules on the TiO2 surface is an important factor for the photocatalytic activity.
• The peripheral groups of copper porphyrins influence their stacking patterns in solid state.

The accumulated patterns of porphyrin molecules on the surface of TiO2 have an important effect on the photoactivity of porphyrin/TiO2 photocatalysts. Herein, two copper porphyrins containing flexible peripheral functional groups (meso-tetra(ester, carboxy)), Cu(II)5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(carboethoxymethyleneoxy)phenyl]porphyrin (CuPp(2a)) and Cu(II)5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(carboxymethyleneoxy)phenyl]porphyrin (CuPp(2b)), were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. Their crystal structures were also determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The Cu(II) porphyrinTiO2 composites were also prepared and characterized. The accumulated patterns of synthesized copper porphyrins on the surface of TiO2 were proposed for the first time. The photoactivity of the composites was investigated by carrying out the degradation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in aqueous solution under UV–visible light. The results indicated that the CuPp(2b)TiO2 showed the higher photocatalytic activity than that of CuPp(2a)TiO2. Above all, it can be concluded that the accumulated patterns of porphyrins on the surface of TiO2 is an important factor for the photocatalytic efficiency of porphyrin/TiO2.

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