β-CD-decorated BODIPY-based porous polymers for improved photodegradation

Abstract

Photodegradation of aqueous organic pollutants provides an ideal removal process for wastewater treatment, urging the development of photocatalysts with high-performance, inexpensiveness and good reusability. Herein, we report the integration of a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) unit and a β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) unit into a polymer network to generate a hyper cross-linked polymer (CDP). As anticipated, this particular CDP polymer combines the advantageous features of an adsorbent and a photosensitizer, thereby showcasing meticulously balanced adsorption and photodegradation processes. This unique synergy culminates in the effective deterioration of bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous solutions through photocatalytic reactions. Significantly, the utilization of the CDP polymer in photodegradation processes exhibits remarkable ability to withstand environmental variations, encompassing pH levels, coexisting ions, and water matrices. Moreover, it demonstrates excellent recyclability, further enhancing its appeal as a sustainable solution. This work provides a new platform for designing and preparing high-performance and economical POP-based photocatalysts for efficient wastewater treatment.