Metallophthalocyanine-based covalently cross-linked polymers as a recycled visible-light photocatalyst in pollutants removal

In this article, we presented a novel and facile method for obtaining a phthalocyanine network polymer via "Thiol-Ene Click" chemistry. A series of metallophthalocyanine-based covalently cross-linked polymers (MTUPc-CCPs, M = Zn, Cu and Co) containing hydrophilic sulfur-containing flexible chain were synthesized successfully, the MTUPc-CCPs had micropores and mesopores coexistence structure and remarkable efficiency for organic dye pollutants and Cr (VI) removal from wastewater. The photocatalytic efficiency of MTUPc-CCPs was significantly improved compared with the corresponding phthalocyanine monomers. Thereinto, ZnTUPc-CCP had the most excellent photocatalytic performances for Methyl orange (MO), Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation and Cr (VI) reduction (3 h, 95.4%, 93.2% and 100%) under visible-light irradiation. These obtained results can be attributed to the wide spectral response, larger surface area and higher micropore ratio of ZnTUPc-CCP. ZnTUPc-CCP was reused for three consecutive cycles without significant loss of activity or structural changes. Furthermore, active species trapping experiments confirmed the crucial role of O2•−, 1O2 and OH•/e− during photocatalytic degradation/reduction, upon which a possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed. Above all, ZnTUPc-CCP was a promising potential visible-light photocatalyst on the degradation of complex contaminants.