Novel synthesis of ZnPc/TiO2 composite particles and carbon dioxide photo-catalytic reduction efficiency study under simulated solar radiation conditions

In this paper, zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and ZnPc/TiO2 composite particles were novelly prepared by microwave and microwave-hydrothermal methods, respectively. The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, infrared spectrophotometry and thermogravimetry analysis. IR spectra and TG analysis prove the incorporation of ZnPc with TiO2. Carbon dioxide was photo-catalytically reduced to produce methanol in an aqueous solution using simulated solar light irradiation. Compared with the pure TiO2 particles, the light absorption range of composite particles got to visible area and the CO2 photo-reduction capability was greatly enhanced, for which the methanol yield reached 248.06 μmol/g cat.

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► ZnPc and ZnPc/TiO2 were successfully synthesized by microwave assisted methods.
► CO2 photo-reduction properties for ZnPc/TiO2 were investigated.
► Spectra of TiO2 expand to visible area since the introduction of ZnPc.
► Microwave treatment improves the catalytic capability of ZnPc/TiO2.