Robust Photodegradation of Methylene Blue with the Biphenyl-Porphyrin/TiO2 Photocatalyst Under Visible Light Condition

Abstract

Herewith, we approached a synthesis of new biphenyl porphyrin derivative and confirmed its structure with 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR studies, FT-IR and mass analytical methods. The porphyrin derivative grafted with TiO2 and the composite (PORBP-TiO2) was further confirmed with different analytical techniques like diffuse reflectance spectra, XRD, FT-IR, XPS, SEM analysis. PORBP-TiO2 was checked for photodegradation of methylene blue in visible light condition and degradation results were compared with bare TiO2. Our newly synthesized photocatalyst showed a very fast and efficient photocatalytical activity in comparison with bare TiO2. Fluoresence life time results also supported the strong photocatalytic activity of PORBP-TiO2. The reusability studies also showed that PORBP-TiO2 is having very good stability upto 10 cycles also. Finally we proposed a suitable catalytic diagram for PORBP-TiO2 photocatalysis.