Synthesis and characterization of Cu-phthalocyanine hybrid TiO₂ sol

TiO₂ sol was prepared by a sol-gel method. Sodium polymethacrylate (PMAA) was added to TiO₂ sol, resulting in a stable TiO₂-PMAA. The copper(II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (CuPcTs) was used to sensitize nanocrystalline TiO₂ photocatalyst. The hybrid nanoparticles had an average particle size of 35 nm and core-shell type morphology was observed using a TEM. For the preparation of TiO ₂-CuPcTs, TiO₂ was directly complexed with CuPcTs, leading to a particle size of 100 nm by a sonication treatment. The photodegradation of the hybrid type photosensitizer was measured using AO7 as an indicator with He-Ne laser with wavelength 633 nm. The efficiency of singlet oxygen generation was also measured by the reduction ratio of concentration of trans-1-(2′-methoxyvinyl) pyrene (MVP) responding to the change of fluorescene emission at 420 nm, depending on the irradiation time.