Visible light induced photosensitized degradation of Acid Orange 7 in the suspension of bentonite intercalated with perfluoroalkyl perfluoro phthalocyanine zinc complex

We report the intercalation of a perfluoroalkyl perfluoro phthalocyanine zinc complex (F64PcZn) in bentonite (Ben) to generate a hybrid photosensitizer (F64PcZn∈Ben) and demonstrate its ability to degrade a model azo dye, Acid Orange 7 (AO7), in aqueous solution using visible light. The F64PcZn photosensitizer is active both in the presence and in the absence of O2, via the photogeneration of singlet oxygen or via a photoinduced electron transfer from the azo dye, respectively. Both F64PcZn and F64PcZn∈Ben exhibit high photochemical stability. The heterogeneous system can be used cyclically by the removal and reutilization of the photocatalytic hybrid, thus highlighting possible technological applications.

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► A photosensitizer based on bentonite and fluorinated phthalocyanine was obtained.
► The hybrid photosensitizer can degrade Acid Orange 7, a model azo dye.
► The photodegradation occurs both in the absence and in the presence of oxygen.
► The hybrid photosensitizer may be reused.