Loading cobalt phthalocyanine onto graphene: preparation of an active photocatalyst

The removal of pollutants from water source is very vital these days. 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) is one of these pollutants that is very high risk compound. The present work has attempted for degradation of this compound. For this purpose, cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) was stabilized on three substrates such as graphene oxide (GO), Nitrogen-doped graphene (NG) and reduced graphene oxide (RG). A conventional method for the preparation of GO was used (modified Hummers’ method), which is most common method used for preparing GO. NG sheets were also prepared by thermal annealing graphite oxide using melamine as source of nitrogen. Reduced graphene oxide was also synthesized by hydrazine hydrate. Cobalt phthalocyanine were loaded on to these supports. The degradation efficiency of the prepared photocatalysts for DCP were tested under visible light irradiation. CoPc/NG showed the highest efficiency and nearly complete degradation of DCP within 135 min.