Nanomagnet-photosensitizer hybrid materials for the degradation of 17β-estradiol in batch and flow modes

- Porphyrins and phthalocyanines decorating nanostructured magnetic supports.
- Magnetic hybrid photocatalysts extremely efficient in the degradation of 17β-estradiol.
- Heterogeneous photocatalysts easily recovered after applying an external magnetic field.
- Flow mode conditions potentiated their photocatalytic capacity.

The preparation of porphyrins and phthalocyanines covalently attached onto nanostructured magnetic supports consisting of magnetite nanoparticles coated with an amorphous silica shell is reported. The easy recovery of these heterogeneous photocatalysts, just by applying an external magnetic field, allows their reuse in multiple treatment cycles. The photocatalytic activity of the non-immobilized photosensitizers and the obtained hybrid materials was evaluated in the degradation of 17β-estradiol, as a model organic pollutant present in water, using batch and flow mode treatment systems, assisted by visible light radiation (4 mW cm−2). The flow mode system potentiated the photocatalytic capacity of these novel hybrid materials. In order to improve the process, further studies based on different photocatalyst concentration and pH conditions were performed. Reuse capacity of these materials was investigated upon three photocatalytic cycles.

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