Isonicotinic acid-ligated cobalt (II) phthalocyanine-modified titania as photocatalyst for benzene degradation via fluorescent lamp

The utilization of bis(isonicotinic acid)phthalocyaninatocobalt (II) [CoPc(isa)2] incorporated on TiO2 has been studied as a photocatalyst to degrade benzene vapor under fluorescent lamp (indoor light) conditions. The photocatalytic activity of [CoPc(isa)2]-TiO2 compared to TiO2 showed an increase in the extent of degradation. The axial isonicotinic acid ligand attached to CoPc improved the degradation rate of benzene as compared with unligated CoPc-TiO2 which may be attributed to the enhancement of electronic structure in the complex due to the additional isonicotinic acid ligand and its possible attachment to the TiO2 surface through the carboxylic acid moiety. Therefore, covalently-linked CoPc(isa)2 to TiO2 can enhance the extent of photodegradation of benzene and other common volatile organic compounds under indoor lighting conditions.