BODIPY dye embedded electrospun polystyrene nanofibers for the photocatalytic degradation of orange G in industrial wastewaters

Abstract

The potential utility of electrospun polystyrene (PS) nanofibers embedded with 2,6-dibromo-8-pyrenyl-1,3,5,7-tetra-methyl BODIPY for the photocatalytic degradation of Orange G in wastewaters is investigated. A comparison of the singlet oxygen quantum yield of the BODIPY dye in solution and when embedded in the PS nanofibers demonstrates that its photosensitizer properties are maintained in the nanofiber mats. The photocatalytic degradation properties of the PS nanofibers for Orange G were determined using a 530 nm light emitting diode. The rate of photodegradation increases with the Orange G concentration and follows pseudo-first order kinetics at pH 6.7. Reusability studies demonstrate that there is an enhancement in the rate of degradation when the fibers are reused.