High-efficiency photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine 6G by organic semiconductor tetrathiafulvalene in weak acid–base environment

Abstract

Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) was successfully applied to degrade rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) in photocatalytic system. The results exhibited that TTF had excellent suitability in the range of weak acid to weak base (pH = 5–9). Multiple reactive oxygen species (˙OH, ¹O₂, H₂O₂ and ˙O₂⁻) as well as h⁺ and e⁻ were generated in photocatalytic process, causing the rapid degradation of Rh6G. This study provides new ideas for the development of catalysts in photocatalytic system and the broader applications of organic semiconductor materials.