Photoinactivation of microorganisms and photodegradation of pollutants using phthalocyanines supported on nanofibers and glass wool

Abstract

Neutral and cationic zinc and indium phthalocyanines (Pcs) are anchored onto polyacrylonitrile nanofibers (NFs) and glass wools (GWs). The properties of these composites were evaluated and compared. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed that GWs had higher stability than NFs. The nanofibers had a higher loading of > 50 % compared to < 35 % for glass wools. The singlet oxygen quantum yield was proportional to the loading. The degradation of 4-chlorophenol, methyl orange, and methylene blue, and the antimicrobial activity (photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy) of the composites were evaluated. It was revealed that the NFs showed a combination of photocatalytic and adsorption properties against methylene blue. The NFs degraded the organic pollutants faster than GWs. The cationic composites showed higher antimicrobial activities than their neutral derivates. The results show a promising application window of the cationic Pc-nanofibers.