Phototransformation of 4-nitrophenol using Pd phthalocyanines supported on single walled carbon nanotubes

Adsorption of palladium phthalocyanines complexes on single walled carbon nanotubes was carried out. The resulting composites were employed as catalysts for heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in aqueous media. Singlet oxygen was found to be involved in the phototransformation of 4-NP. Gas chromatographic separation gave hydroquinone and benzoquinone as the phototransformation products. Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L–H) model was employed to evaluate the adsorption and desorption equilibria of the reactants and the products. 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(dodecylthiophthalocyaninato) palladium(II) and 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(dodecylthio phthalocyaninato) palladium, containing the longest alkyl chain gave the best performances.

Palladium phthalocyanines complexes are adsorbed on single wall carbon nanotubes and the composites are employed as catalysts in heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of 4-nitrophenol.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (248 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► Pd phthalocyanines complexes are adsorbed on single wall carbon nanotubes.
► The adsorbed conjugates are used for phototransformation of nitrophenol.
► Hydroquinone and benzoquinone are the phototransformation products.
► Complexes containing the longest chain gave the best performances.