Significant enhancement of visible light photocatalytic activity of the hybrid B12-PIL/rGO in the presence of Ru(bpy)32+ for DDT dehalogenation

Abstract

A new B₁₂-PIL/rGO hybrid was prepared successfully through immobilizing a B₁₂ derivative on the surface of poly(ionic liquid) (PIL)-modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by electrostatic attraction and π–π stacking attraction among the different components. The hybrid catalyst showed an enhanced photocatalytic activity in the presence of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ for 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (DDT) dechlorination with ∼100% conversion. Especially, the yield of didechlorinated products could reach 78% after 1 h of visible light irradiation, which should be attributed to a synergistic effect of B₁₂, rGO and PIL in B₁₂-PIL/rGO, including their respective catalytic performance, the excellent electron transport of rGO and the concentration of DDT and 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane (DDD) on the surface of B₁₂-PIL/rGO. Furthermore, the hybrid catalyst was easily recycled for use without obvious loss of catalytic activity.