Abstract
This work describes the synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic
activity of new composite nanomaterials based on ZnO nanostructures
impregnated by lipophlilic porphyrins derived from cashew nut shell
liquid (CNSL). The obtained nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray
diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS),
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron
microscopy (TEM), and steady-state photoluminescence spectra (PL). The
results confirm nanostructures showing average diameter of 55 nm and an
improved absorption in the visible region. Further, the FTIR analysis
proved the existence of non-covalent interactions between the porphyrin
molecules and ZnO. The photocatalytic activity of prepared
photocatalysts was investigated by degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in
aqueous solution under visible light irradiation and natural sunlight.
It was demonstrated that the photocatalytic activity increases in the
presence of the porphyrins and, also, depends on the irradiation source.
The development of composite photocatalysts based on porphyrins derived
from CNSL provides an alternative approach to eliminate efficiently
toxic wastes from water under ambient conditions.
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