Physico-chemical properties of lutetium phthalocyanine complexes in solution and in solid polystyrene polymer fibers and their application in photoconversion of 4-nitrophenol

The photophysical and photochemical behavior of two phthalocyanine complexes of lutetium peripherally substituted with tetraphenoxy and tetra-2-pyridiloxy groups were studied in solution and when dispersed in polystyrene polymer fiber. The phthalocyanines were found not to fluoresce significantly in solution and not at all within the fiber matrix as compared with standard unsubstituted zinc phthalocyanine. They showed very promising photoactivity in solution with high singlet oxygen quantum yields. Their photoactivity within the polymer fiber matrix was also demonstrated with the photoconversion of 4-nitrophenol, a water pollutant. The photodegradation process with both phthalocyanines follows first order kinetics similar to that observed for the zinc phthalocyanine and the photo-products were found to be hydroquinone, benzoquinone and 4-nitrocatechol.

Lutetium phthalocyanines showed high singlet oxygen quantum yields when embedded in electrospun polystyrene fiber. The photoactivity within the polymer fiber matrix was also demonstrated by the photoconversion of 4-nitrophenol into 4-nitrocatechol and hydroquinone.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (264 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Lutetium phthalocyanine was incorporated into an electrospun fiber.
► Higher singlet oxygen yields were obtained for phenoxy substituted derivatives.
► The modified fiber was used for phototransformation of 4-nitrophenol.
► The main products of phototransformation are hydroquinone and 4-nitrocatechol.