Preparation and characterization of Cobalt Sulfophthalocyanine/TiO2/fly-ash cenospheres photocatalyst and study on degradation activity under visible light

Abstract Cobalt Sulfophthalocyanine (CoSPc) sensitized TiO2 sol samples were prepared through a Sol–Gel method using Cobalt Sulfophthalocyanine as a sensitizer. Loading and modified floating photocatalyst was prepared by hydrothermal method using fly-ash cenospheres as a carrier. The properties of the samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS). Photocatalytic activity was studied by degrading wastewater of methylene blue under visible light. The results indicate that the fly-ash cenospheres are covered by modified TiO2 film which composed of the anatase, brookite and rutile misch crystal phase. CoSPc/TiO2/fly-ash cenospheres samples have good catalytic activity under visible light, and have strong absorbency during 600–700 nm. The sensitization of CoSPc can enhance visible light catalytic activity of TiO2/fly-ash cenospheres. The degradation rate of methylene blue reaches 73.36% in 180 min under the visible light illumination. But too much CoSPc can decrease its catalytic activity.