Organic dye-sensitized TiO_2 for the redox conversion of water pollutants under visible light

摘要

Titania nanoparticles sensitized with metal-free organic dye exhibit high visible-light activities for the redox conversion of water pollutants in a wider pH range in comparison with TiO_2 sensitized with ruthenium bipyridyl complexes.rnDye-sensitized TiO_2 has been frequently investigated to utilize solar light for chemical conversion. In particular, ruthenium bipyridyl derivatives have been extensively studied as an efficient sensitizer of TiO_2 for visible light photocatalysis (e.g., the degradation of water pollutants, production of hydrogen). However, Ru-based dyes are not environmentally and economically acceptable because ruthenium is an expensive and toxic element. Therefore, metal-free organic dye sensitizers with low production costs, higher visible light absorption, high stability, and facile molecular design have attracted attention.