Porphyrin-graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots decorated on titanium dioxide electrospun nanofibers for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

Herein, we report on the development of an effective, environmentally benign and facile method for visible light driven photo-degradation of Rhodamine 6 G and 2,4-dichlorophenol using Zn-5-p-carboxyphenyl-10,15,20-(tris-4-pyridyl)-porphyrin (2) linked to graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-C3N4 QDs) and anchored on TiO2 fibers (represented as 2@g-C3N4 QDs-TiO2 fibers). The results suggest that the porphyrin acts as a photosensitizer, g-C3N4 QDs function as both photosensitizer and electron mediator, whereas the TiO2 fibers supporting matrix is a photocatalyst and a stabilizer. Anchoring 2@g-C3N4 QDs onto TiO2 fibers resulted in enhanced catalytic activity and thermal stability. Singlet oxygen (1O2) was the main reactive species responsible for degradation of Rhodamine 6 G and 2,4-dichlorophenol. The degradation kinetic studies follow pseudo first-order kinetics. The results demonstrate 2@g-C3N4 QDs-TiO2 fibers ternary hybrid catalyst to be a catalyst for visible light driven photo-degradation of refractory organic water pollutants.