Nanoarchitectonic Composites of Mixed and Covalently Linked Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Tetra-[α-(p-amino)benzyloxyl] Phthalocyanine Zinc(II).

The nanoarchitectonic composites mixed-ZnPc-fMWCNT and linked-ZnPc-fMWCNT were prepared through tetra-[α-(p-amino)benzyloxyl]phthalocyanine Zinc(II) (ZnPc) mixed and covalently linked to multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), respectively. Various spectroscopic methods were used to identify the nanocomposites formed between ZnPc and MWCNTs whether by π-π interaction or by covalent linking. Their photocatalytic properties were fully investigated by carrying out the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The nanocomposites displayed excellent photocatalytic performance, with the photodegradation efficiency as high as 94% for linked-ZnPc-fMWCNT and 83% for mixed-ZnPc-fMWCNT within 3 h irradiation. The repetition test revealed that both nanocomposites have excellent stability and recyclability, and then they are promising candidates as eco-friendly photocatalysts for degradation of organic dyes in aqueous environments.