Scalable fabrication of benzophenone/phthalocyanine-decorated photodynamic cotton fabrics for enhanced dye degradation and antibacterial performance

Cotton fabrics with photodynamic performance (BP/CuPc-R/F) were prepared via a facile method and used as an effective photocatalytic system for wastewater treatment in this work. C.I. Reactive Blue 21 (a copper phthalocyanine derivative) and one kind of 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone derivative (BPTCA) were covalently grafted onto cotton fabrics via conventional dyeing and finishing processes. The resultant photosensitive material (BP/CuPc-R/F) exhibited excellent hydroxyl-radical-generating activity under UVA light. Density functional theory calculation was used to investigate the photosensitizing mechanism and synergistic effect of copper phthalocyanine and benzophenone groups. BP/CuPc-R/F showed a stable activity in the decomposition of C.I. Reactive Black 5, and the degradation rate can still reach above 80% after 4 cycles. The degradation efficiency was enhanced in the condition of alkaline and high temperature (99% degradation at 45? in 10 min exposure). Furthermore, it also showed photo-induced antibacterial activity toward Staphylococcus aureus with bacterial reduction rate of 99.99% after 60 min of UVA light illumination. The photosensitive textile provides a facile and efficient approach for the removal of hazardous pollutants and microorganisms in water treatment.

Automated summary

Cotton fabrics with photodynamic performance were prepared by covalently grafting copper phthalocyanine derivative and benzophenone derivative onto the fabrics. The resulting material showed excellent hydroxyl-radical-generating activity under UVA light and stable degradation efficiency for wastewater treatment. It also exhibited photo-induced antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus. This photosensitive textile provides a facile and efficient approach for the removal of hazardous pollutants and microorganisms in water treatment.