Surface modification of TiO2 nanosheets with fullerene and zinc-phthalocyanine for enhanced photocatalytic reduction under solar-light irradiation

Abstract

High-efficiency photocatalysts are of great importance to satisfy the requirements of green chemistry nowadays. Here we reported a novel solar-driven photocatalyst fabricated by a facile surface modification method, with the two-dimensional carboxylated zinc phthalocyanine-carboxylated C60-titanium dioxide (ZnPc-C3-TiO2) nanosheets, in which the surface modifications of ZnPc and C60 derivative were designed to extend the absorption range and promote charge separation, respectively. Benefiting from the unique structure and positive synergetic effect, the ZnPc-C3-TiO2 nanocomposite shows promising applications in selective reduction of nitroarenes for high-value-added aromatic amines under solar light. Especially, for the photocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline, the ZnPc-C3-TiO2 nanocomposite possesses both high efficiency and selectivity (up to 99%).[Figure not available: see fulltext.]