Investigation of fullerene and non-fullerene materials in organic photocatalysts on the efficiency of photocatalytic degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls

The photocatalytic degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is advancing, yet the efficiency of degradation within the visible spectral range continues to encounter significant challenges. In this study, two biochar-based organic semiconductor photocatalysts, Active Carbon@PTQ10 (5,8-Dibromo-6,7-difluoro-2-(2-hexyldecoxy)quinoxaline; trimethyl-(5-trimethylstannylthiophen-2-yl)stannane): ITIC-Th (Propanedinitrile,2,2′-[[6,6,12,12-tetrakis(5-hexyl-2-thienyl)-6,12-dihydrodithieno[2,3-d: 2′,3′-d’] −s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b’] dithiophene-2,8-diyl] bis[methylidyne(3-oxo-1H-indene-2,1(3H)-diylidene)]] bis-) ( AC@PI ) and Active Carbon@PTQ10: PC 71 BM (6,6)-phenyl C 71 butyric acid methyl ester), were synthesized using a wide bandgap material, PTQ10, as the electron donor, along with a non-fullerene material, ITIC-Th, and a fullerene material, PC 71 BM, as the acceptors, respectively. Under optimized conditions, AC@PI degraded 93.4 % of 2,2 ’,4,4 ’-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 47) within 60 min. By incorporating a non-fullerene acceptor (ITIC-Th), AC@PI exhibits a larger surface photopressure, a lower hole-electron transfer ratio, a broader absorption spectrum (400 – 1000 nm), and enhanced structural stability. AC@PI can generate photogenerated electrons and holes, as well as superoxide anions ( O 2 − ) and hydroxyl radicals ( OH), through type II heterojunctions, which contributes to its exceptional properties. This study synthesized novel organic semiconductor catalysts that offer a green, efficient, and non-toxic method for the degradation of aromatic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls.