Photocatalytic degradation of erythromycin under visible light by zinc phthalocyanine-modified titania nanoparticles

Zinc phthalocyanine modified TiO2 nanoparticles (Znpc–TiO2) were prepared by the chemical impregnation method to improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 under visible light. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis-DRS), X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy transmission electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller. surface area analysis techniques. The photocatalytic activity of Znpc–TiO2 was investigated for the degradation of erythromycin. The results revealed that UV–vis absorption edge of Znpc–TiO2 is slightly shifted towards visible region and it has a higher surface area than that of TiO2. The photocatalytic activity of Znpc–TiO2 was superior (74.21%) than that of TiO2 (31.57%). Besides the photocatalyst (Znpc–TiO2) is stable and may be reused for several times.