Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of π-donor organic compounds by N,N′-dialky 1-4,4′-bipyridinium-modified TiO2 particles

Koodali Thazhathaveetil Ranjit, Ernesto Joselevich, Itamar Willner*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

TiO2 powders (Degussa P-25) were modified by a bipyridinium V2+ monolayer. The resulting modified V2+-TiO2 photocatalyst reveals enhanced activities for the light-induced degradation of the series of organic compounds, 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (1), 1,2-dimethoxybenzene (veratrole) (2), indole (3) and eosin (4), exhibiting electron donor properties. Photodegradation of p-chlorobenzaldehyde (5) which lacks electron donor properties is inhibited in the presence of the modified photocatalyst V2+-TiO2, whereas it degrades in the presence of unmodified TiO2. The enhanced photodegradation of the series of electron-rich compounds is attributed to the formation of a supramolecular donor-acceptor complex with the bipyridinium units at the semiconductor surface. Concentration of the organic materials at the s.c. surface leads to effective utilization of photogenerated O2.- and effective mineralization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)185-189
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry
Volume99
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 4 Oct 1996

Keywords

  • Environmental pollutants
  • Photocatalysis
  • Photochemical degradation
  • Semiconductors
  • Supramolecular photochemistry

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