Visible light induced photosensitized degradation of Acid Orange 7 in the suspension of bentonite intercalated with perfluoroalkyl perfluoro phthalocyanine zinc complex

We report the intercalation of a perfluoroalkyl perfluoro phthalocyanine zinc complex (F64PcZn) in bentonite (Ben) to generate a hybrid photosensitizer (F64PcZn is an element of Ben) and demonstrate its ability to degrade a model azo dye, Acid Orange 7 (AO7), in aqueous solution using visible light. The F64PcZn photosensitizer is active both in the presence and in the absence of O-2, via the photogeneration of singlet oxygen or via a photoinduced electron transfer from the azo dye, respectively. Both F64PcZn and F64PcZn is an element of Ben exhibit high photochemical stability. The heterogeneous system can be used cyclically by the removal and reutilization of the photocatalytic hybrid, thus highlighting possible technological applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.