Photosensitized transformation of 4-chlorophenol in the presence of aggregated and non-aggregated metallophthalocyanines

Heterogeneous photosensitization for water reuse in cellars: evaluation of silica, spongin, and chitosan as carrier material

Photosensitization, a powerful oxidation reaction, offers significant potential for wastewater treatment in the context of industrial process water reuse. This environmentally friendly process can be crucial in reducing water consumption and industrial pollution. The ultimate goal is to complete process water reuse, creating a closed-loop system that preserves the inherent value of water resources. The photosensitized oxidation reaction hinges on three essential components: the photosensitizer, visible light, and oxygen. In this study, we assess the performance of three distinct materials-silica, chitosan, and spongin-as carrier materials for incorporating the phthalocyanine photosensitizer (ZnPcS4) in the heterogenous photosensitization process. Among the three materials under study, chitosan emerged as the standout performer in reactor hydrodynamic performance. In the photooxidation process, the photosensitizer ZnPcS4 exhibited notable efficacy, resulting in a significant reduction of approximately 20 to 30% in the remaining COD concentration of the cellar wastewater. Chitosan demonstrated exceptional hydrodynamic characteristics and displayed a favorable response to pH adjustments within the range of 8 to 10, outperforming the other two carrier materials. To further enhance the efficiency of continuous operation, exploring methods for mitigating photosensitizer bleaching within the reaction medium and investigating the impact of different pH values on the process optimization would be prudent.

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with hypochlorous acid: Implication on electrochemical water treatment

Reduction of HOCl to Cl^- by in-situ electrochemical synthesis or ex-situ addition of H₂O₂ is a feasible method to minimize Cl-DBPs and ClO_x^- (x = 2, 3, and 4) formation in electrochemical oxidative water treatment systems. This work has investigated the kinetics and mechanism of the reaction between H₂O₂ and HOCl. The kinetics study showed the species-specific second order rate constants for HOCl with H₂O₂ (k₁), HOCl with HO₂^- (k₂) and OCl^- with H₂O₂ (k₃) are 195.5 ± 3.3 M^-1s^-1, 4.0 × 10⁷ M^-1s^-1 and 3.5 × 10³ M^-1s^-1, respectively. The density functional theory calculation showed k₂ is the most advantageous thermodynamically pathway because it does not need to overcome a high energy barrier. The yields of ¹O₂ generation from the reaction of H₂O₂ with HOCl were reinvestigated by using furfuryl alcohol (FFA) as a probe, and an average of 92.3% of ¹O₂ yields was obtained at pH 7-12. The second order rate constants of the reaction of ¹O₂ with 13 phenolates were determined by using the H₂O₂/HOCl system as a quantitative ¹O₂ production source. To establish a quantitative structure activity relationship, quantum chemical descriptors were more satisfactory than empirical Hammett constants. The potential implications in electrochemical oxidative water treatment were discussed at the end.

Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Detection of an Analyte Triggered by Its Concentration by a Singlet Oxygen-Generating Fluoro Photosensitizer

The use of a photocatalyst (photosensitizer) which produces singlet oxygen instead of enzymes for oxidizing analytes creates opportunities for designing cost-efficient and sensitive photoelectrochemical sensors. We report that perfluoroisopropyl-substituted zinc phthalocyanine (F₆₄PcZn) interacts specifically with a complex phenolic compound, the antibiotic rifampicin (RIF), but not with hydroquinone or another complex phenolic compound, the antibiotic doxycycline. The specificity is imparted by the selective preconcentration of RIF in the photocatalytic layer, as revealed by electrochemical and optical measurements, complemented by molecular modeling that confirms the important role of a hydrophobic cavity formed by the iso-perfluoropropyl groups of the photocatalyst. The preconcentration effect favorably enhances the RIF photoelectrochemical detection limit as well as sensitivity to nanomolar (ppb) concentrations, LOD = 7 nM (6 ppb) and 2.8 A·M^-1·cm^-2, respectively. The selectivity to RIF, retained in the photosensitizer layer, is further enhanced by the selective removal of all unretained phenols via simple washing of the electrodes with pure buffer. The utility of the sensor for analyzing municipal wastewater was demonstrated. This first demonstration of enhanced selectivity and sensitivity due to intrinsic interactions of a molecular photocatalyst (photosensitizer) with an analyte, without use of a biorecognition element, may allow the design of related, robust, simple, and viable sensors.

A career in photophysicochemical and electrochemical properties of phthalocyanine — a Linstead Career Award paper

This manuscript highlights the author’s contributions to phthalocyanine chemistry, especially the applications based on their electrochemistry and photophysicochemistry. In particular, the use of phthalocyanines as electrocatalysts and photocatalysts is presented. For photocatalysis, photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy and pollution control using green technologies are highlighted. For electrocatalysis the phthalocyanines are employed for the detection of pollutants and environmentally important molecules. Phthalocyanines are combined with nanomaterials for improved photocatalysis and electrocatalysis.

Effect of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on Nd-TiO2/graphene oxide nanocomposite for removal of lead(II) and copper(II) from aquatic media

In order to investigate the effect of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on adsorbing capacity of nanosorbent Nd-TiO₂/GO, Nd-TiO₂/HPC/GO, Nd-TiO₂/PVP/GO and Nd-TiO₂/PEG/GO nanocomposites were synthesized. Studies by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the expected structure and X-ray diffraction results confirmed the formation of crystalline phase of anatase titania and also graphene oxide (GO). Scanning electron microscopy pictures and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis showed the formation of Nd-TiO₂ nanoparticles. These nanocomposites were used for removal of lead(II) and copper(II) from water and the effective factors on removal were optimized. The results showed that the maximum removal for all three nanocomposites was at pH = 7. The amount of adsorbent and contact time for Nd-TiO₂/HPC/GO and Nd-TiO₂/PVP/GO nanocomposites was equal to 0.02 g and 20 minutes respectively, but they were equal to 0.01 g and 15 minutes for Nd-TiO₂/PEG/GO nanocomposite. Investigating the effect of interfering ions showed they had no considerable effect on removal efficiency. In order to investigate the effect of photocatalytic activity in optimal conditions and in the presence of visible-ultraviolet light, the removal process was performed. The results showed an increase in removal efficiency. Furthermore, the ability of synthesized nanosorbents to decompose organic compounds available in water was confirmed and their energy band gaps were calculated.

Fluorescence Behaviour of an Aluminium Octacarboxy Phthalocyanine--NaYGdF4:Yb/Er Nanoparticle Conjugate

Using a methanol assisted thermal decomposition approach, sphere shaped NaYGdF4:Yb/Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) were successfully synthesized. The chemical, spectroscopic and fluorescence properties of the UCNPs were fully characterized. Characteristic upconversion fluorescence emissions were produced by the NPs in the green, red and NIR regions and the NPs were also shown to possess paramagnetic properties. The influence of the UCNPs on the spectroscopic and fluorescence properties of an aluminium octacarboxy phthalocyanine AlOCPc was investigated. Covalent conjugation to an AlOCPc resulted in a large blue shift of the phthalocyanine's Q band, which was accompanied by a decrease in the Pc's fluorescence lifetime in DMSO. By combining the phthalocyanine and upconversion nanoparticle, we present a system capable of multimodal imaging, using both the upconversion nanoparticle's and phthalocyanine's emission, and magnetic resonance imaging (as a result of doping the upconversion nanoparticles with Gd(3+) ions).

Heterostructured nanocomposite tin phthalocyanine@mesoporous ceria (SnPc@CeO2) for photoreduction of CO2 in visible light

Heterostructured tin phthalocyanine supported to mesoporous ceria was synthesized and used a photocatalyst for CO₂ reduction under visible light.

Effect of bovine serum albumin and single walled carbon nanotube on the photophysical properties of zinc octacarboxy phthalocyanine

This work reports on the photophysical parameters of the conjugate between zinc octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ZnOCPc) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) represented as ZnOCPc-BSA (1) which was further adsorbed onto single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) represented as (ZnOCPc-BSA-SWCNT 2). ZnOCPc (without BSA) was also adsorbed on SWCNT represented as ZnOCPc-SWCNT (3). The presence of BSA resulted in the increase in singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ) for 1 (at ΦΔ=0.44) and 2 (at ΦΔ=0.41) compared to ΦΔ=0.21 for ZnOCPc alone. For complex 3 which did not contain BSA singlet oxygen quantum yield decreased.

Syntheses of near infrared absorbed phthalocyanines to utilize photosensitizers

Phthalocyanines have become of major interest as functional colorants for various applications. In order to use various applications especially photosensitizers, the absorption maxima called Q-band of phthalocyanines are required to be shifted to the near infrared region. Substituted phthalocyanine analog alkylbenzopiridoporphyrazins, especially zinc bis(1,4-didecylbenzo)-bis(3,4-pyrido)porphyrazine, and toroidal-shaped phthalocyanines having aminoamine dendric side chains such as toroidal zinc poly(aminoamine)phthalocyanine dendrons were synthesized. Phthalocyanines of two types reportedly use photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of cancer. The respective efficacies of photodynamic therapy of cancer for zinc bis(1,4-didecylbenzo)-bis(3,4-pyrido)porphyrazine and its regioisomers were estimated using laser-flash photolysis. The capability of using photodynamic therapy for toroidal zinc poly(aminoamine)phthalocyanine dendrons was assessed using a cancer cell culture. Both phthalocyanines were suitable for the use as a photosensitizer as photodynamic therapy of cancer. Then, non-peripheral thioaryl substituted phthalocyanines, 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(thioaryl)phthalocyanines, such as 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(thiophenylmethyl)phthalocyanines, 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(thiophenylmethoxy)phthalocyanines, and 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(thiophenyl tert-butyl)phthalocyanines were also synthesized in order to develop next- generation photovoltaic cells and/or dye-sensitized solar cells. Non-peripheral substituted 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(thioaryl)phthalocyanines exhibited a Q-band in the near infrared region. Electrochemical measurements were performed on the above-mentioned 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(thioaryl)phthalocyanines described above to examine their electron transfer abilities and electrochemical mechanisms. The compounds 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(thioaryl)phthalocyanines are anticipated to be appropriate materials for use in the next generation of photovoltaic cells.

Effects of the number of ring substituents of cobalt carboxyphthalocyanines on the electrocatalytic detection of nitrite, cysteine and melatonin

Cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc), cobalt tetracarboxy phthalocyanine (CoTCPc) and cobalt octacarboxy phthalocyanine (CoOCPc), adsorbed onto glassy carbon electrodes, have been used for the electrocatalytic detection of nitrite, L-cysteine and melatonin. The modified electrodes electrocatalytically detected nitrite around 800 mV vs. Ag|AgCl , a value less positive compared to that of an unmodified glassy carbon electrode (at 950 mV vs. Ag|AgCl ) and also gave detection limits in the 10-7 M range for nitrite detection. L-cysteine was detected by the modified electrodes at potentials between 0.50 to 0.65 V vs. Ag|AgCl , with L-cysteine detection limits also in the 10-7 M range. The detection limits for melatonin ranged from 10-7 to 10-6 M. CoPc-modified electrodes displayed good separation of interferents (tryptophan and ascorbic acid) in the presence of melatonin. Analyses of commercial melatonin tablets using modified electrodes gave excellent agreement with manufacturer's value for all modified electrodes of this work.

Photochemical studies of binuclear phenoxysubstituted phthalocyanines containing catecholate bridges

Binuclear ZnPc complexes covalently bridged by catechol units have been synthesized and their absorption and photochemical properties examined. The complexes studied are 1,2-bis-2',9',16',23'-triphenoxyphthalocyaninatozinc benzene (6a), 1,2-bis-2'-9',16',23'-tri-4-carboxyphe-noxyphthalocyaninatozinc benzene (6b), 1,2-bis-2',9',16',23'-tri-4-nitrophenoxyphthalocyaninato- zinc benzene (6c) and 1,2-bis-2'-9',16',23'-tri-4-tert-butylphenoxyphthalocyaninatozinc benzene (6d). Larger intramolecular coupling was observed for 6b and 6c, containing the carboxyphenoxy and nitrophenoxy substituents, respectively, than for 6a and 6d. A single Q band peak was observed for the fluorescence spectra of 6b and 6c, whereas, 6a and 6d showed a split Q band. The absence of the high energy fluorescence peaks corresponding to absorbance peaks in the 640 nm region, suggests that the intramolecular coupling is broken by excitation for complexes 6b and 6c.

Photoelectrochemical characterization of electrodepositedZnOthin films sensitized by octacarboxymetallophthalocyanine derivatives

Hybrid thin films of crystalline zinc oxide ( ZnO ) modified by different octacarboxymetallophthalocyanines (MOCPc) were prepared by the readsorption method. Homogeneously blue or green thin films were formed. The photoelectrochemical characteristics of the electrodes were studied by time-resolved photocurrent measurements. Zinc(II) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octacarboxyphthalocyanine ( ZnOCPc ) showed considerably large quantum efficiency in sensitization of ZnO , one of the highest quantum efficiencies obtained so far with phthalocyanine-type sensitizers on nanocrystalline ZnO films.

Symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted carboxy phthalocyanines as sensitizers for nanoporousZnOfilms

The photoelectroectrochemical studies of water soluble octacarboxylated oxotitanium (OTiOCPc) , zinc (ZnOCPC) , hydroxyaluminium ((OH)AlOCPc) , dihydroxysilicon ((OH)2SiOCPc) , hydroxygallium (OHGaOCPc) and low symmetry zinc monocarboxy (ZnMCPc) phthalocyanines were performed. The dyes were adsorbed to nanoporous ZnO electrodeposited in the presence of eosin Y as structure directing agent (SDA) on FTO substrates by refluxing or soaking the films in a solution containing the dye of interest such that a full surface coverage was achieved. High external (IPCE) and internal (APCE) quantum efficiencies of up to 50.6% and 96.7% were achieved for the OTiOCPc complex. There was a lower overall cell efficiency for cells sensitized with phthalocyanines containing hydroxyl as axial ligand ZnO/(OH)2SiOCPc , ZnO/(OH)GaOCPc and (OH)AlOCPc because of strong aggregation on the surface of the electrodes. To further suppress dye aggregation, the zinc complex of a new monocarboxylated phthalocyanine sensitizer with bulky naphtho side groups (ZnMCPc) was employed. Among the studied sensitizers, ZnMCPc gave the highest overall cell efficiency of phthalocyanine electrodeposited on ZnO of η = 0.48%.

Effect of molecular complex formation of metallophthalocyanines with pyridine on their aggregation

The results for aggregation equilibrium of metallophthalocyanines in buffer and buffer-pyridine solutions were obtained and generalized. The influence of specific interactions of the metallophthalocyanines with pyridine on their aggregation state in solution was estimated.

Bathochromic shift of the Q-bands of octakis(p-t-butylbenzyloxy)phthalocyanines with magnesium(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) in a solvent mixture of chloroform and acetic acid

1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(p-t-butylbenzyloxy)phthalocyanine complexes of magnesium(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) were prepared by refluxing the propanol solution of 3,6-di(p-t-butylbenzyloxy)phthalonitrile in the presence of magnesium turnings. The complexes showed intense Q-bands between 740 and 750 nm in chloroform. The magnesium(II) complex showed an additional weak band at 807 nm in chloroform, while the nickel(II) and copper(II) did not. The Q-band of the magnesium(II) species was red-shifted with increase of acetic acid in the solvent mixture of chloroform and acetic acid; 745, (765, 807) and (810, 868 nm) in chloroform, 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid and 60% (v/v) acetic acid, respectively. The magnesium(II) complex has bands at 900 and 999 nm in trifluoroacetic acid. In the solvent mixture of 1% (v/v) acetic acid, the red-shift of the Q-band was larger for the magnesium(II) derivative, a little for the nickel(II) and scarcely for the copper(II), respectively. The shift was explained by protonation of the external nitrogen atoms of the phthalocyanine ring.

Laser-flash photolysis of dialkylbenzodipyridoporphyrazines

In the course of a fundamental study of photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy of cancer, a non-peripheral substituted phthalocyanine analogue, zinc bis(1,4-didecylbenzo)bis(3,4-pyrido)porphyrazine and its position isomers were examined to measure their photoexcited triplet state lifetimes in poly(methyl methacrylate) film using laser-flash photolysis. The isomer mixture of zinc bis(1,4-didecylbenzo)bis(3,4-pyrido)porphyrazine showed the most intense absorption in the 660-710 nm region, and the longer triplet state lifetime. The lowest symmetry isomer of zinc bis(1,4-didecylbenzo)bis(3,4-pyrido)porphyrazine was found to have the longest triplet state lifetime when all isomers were separated. The compound is proposed to be suitable for use as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy of cancer.

First evidence of formation of stable DBU Zn-phthalocyanine complexes: synthesis and characterization

Novel Zn (II) phthalocyanine and naphthalocyanine DBU complexes have been prepared in a one-pot synthesis reacting phthalonitrile precursors with an excess of DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene). For the first time, it has been well evidenced that DBU played the role of coordinating axial ligand together with the well known role of strong base. Also, DBU complexes showed better solubility in organic solvents due to the coordination of the bulky axial DBU ligand, compared to the Zn (II) phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines without coordinated DBU. The coordinating properties of DBU toward ZnPcs (DBU free) complexes have also been investigated along with the ZnPc (pyridine) complex. Thermal analysis results reflecting the stability of the synthesized complexes under air are also presented.

Photo-catalytic activity of cationic zinc(II) complexes of phthalocyanine and porphyrazine derivatives loaded on the surface of silica gel

Cationic 2,9,16,23-tetra(3-N,N,N-trimethylaminoethyloxy)phthalocyaninatozinc(II) (complex 1) and 22,23-di(4-N,N,N-trimethylaminophenyl)benzo[b]-7,8,12,13,17,18-hexa(4-t-butylphenyl) porphyrazinatozinc(II) (complex 2) were loaded on the surface of silica gel by use of an electrostatic interaction with deprotonated silanol groups of silica gel. While complex 1 formed its dimer with increase in the amount of the complex in the composite, complex 2 hardly formed the dimer in the composite due to the steric hindrance of its peripheral substituents. 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran was photo-oxidized using the composites as the sensitizer in aerated methanol. The reaction proceeded with singlet dioxygen generated by the visible-light irradiation upon the sensitizer. While the initial reaction rate with the composite of complex 2 steadily increased in accordance with increase in the amount of the complex, that with the composite of complex 1 at first increased, but subsequently decreased due to the formation of the photo-inactive dimer. Bilirubinditaurate was also photo-oxidized using the composites as the sensitizer in an aerated aqueous solution. The reaction proceeded with superoxide instead of singlet dioxygen. The relationship between the initial reaction rate and the amount of the complex was similar to that in methanol.

Sulphonated cobalt phthalocyanine-MCM-41: an active photocatalyst for degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol

The photocatalytic activity of sulphonated cobalt phthalocyanine immobilized onto MCM-41 was investigated for decomposition of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in aqueous solutions. Immobilization of anion sulpho-cobalt phthalocyanine to the walls of MCM-41 was performed by pre-anchorage of 3-(aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane (APTES) onto MCM-41 via post-synthesis method. X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray and FT-IR methods were used to characterize the product. Photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared catalyst for degradation of 2,4-DCP was tested under illumination of UV-A and visible light. The results obtained reveal that the photocatalyst is very active in degradation of 2,4-DCP. The photodegradation process is completed within 3h using a dose of 0.6g/L of the catalyst under UV irradiation. The reactions follow a pseudo-first-order kinetics and the observed rate constant values change with 2,4-DCP concentrations. The reproducibility of the catalyst was tested. The reaction intermediates were identified by gas chromatoghraphy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique.

Syntheses and Functional Properties of Phthalocyanines

Metal phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acids, metal phthalocyanine octacarboxylic acids, metal octakis(hexyloxymethyl)phthalocyanines, and metal anthraquinocyanines have been synthesized. Then, zinc bis(1,4-didecylbenzo)-bis(3,4-pyrido)porphyrazines, the cyclotetramerization products of a 1:1 mixture of 3,6-didecylphthalonitrile and 3,4-dicyanopyridine, were synthesized. Futher, subphthalocyanine and its derivatives, with substituents such as thiobutyl and thiophenyl moieties were synthesized. Electrochemical measurements were performed on the abovementioned phthalocyanine derivatives and analogues in order to examine their electron transfer abilities and electrochemical reaction mechanisms in an organic solvent. Moreover, 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(thio-phenylmethyl)phthalocyanes were synthesized. The Q-bands of the latter compounds appeared in the near-infrared region. Furthermore, non-colored transparent films in the visible region can be produced.

Mechanistic aspects regarding the direct aqueous environmental photochemistry of phenol and its simple halogenated derivatives. A review

We have reviewed the mechanistic aspects regarding the direct aqueous phase environmental photochemistry of phenol and its simple halogenated derivatives. These compounds are important industrial and natural products, are ubiquitous in aquatic systems, and their acute and chronic toxicity makes their environmental fate of interest. Work over the past two decades has unified the photochemistry of phenol and its simple halogenated derivatives. In general, three photochemical pathways dominate in aqueous solution depending on the nature of the substrate: (1) photoionization, (2) photochemical aryl-halogen bond homolysis, and (3) photochemical aryl-halogen bond heterolysis. Photoionization typically results in an array of biaryl radical coupling products which are only relevant for highly concentrated waste streams. Photolytic aryl-halogen bond homolysis will primarily give photoreduction products where reducing agents such as dissolved organic matter or reduced metal cations are present, and radical coupling products in highly concentrated waste streams. The 2- and 4-substituted halophenols may undergo photochemical aryl-halogen bond heterolysis upon irradiation to give an aryl cation. The aryl cation can be attacked by water to give the corresponding hydroxylated derivative, or may deprotonate to generate alpha- and gamma-ketocarbenes, respectively. Following their formation, the singlet alpha-ketocarbenes may undergo Wolff rearrangements to cyclopentadiene-ketenes that are subsequently hydrolyzed to cyclopentadiene carboxylic acids. The triplet alpha- and gamma-ketocarbenes are attacked by oxygen and hydrolyzed to give benzoquinones, directly hydrolyzed to yield hydroquinones, reduced to give phenols, or could take part in coupling reactions in highly concentrated waste streams to give dimers and hydroxybiaryl complexes. Additional studies in natural water samples are required to assess the relative importance of these direct irradiation mechanisms relative to indirect photolysis and other abiotic and biotic degradation and environmental partitioning pathways across the continuum of marine, freshwater, and wastewater biogeochemical signatures.