The search for novel materials and the development of improved processes for water purification have attracted the interest of researchers worldwide and the use of titanium dioxide in photocatalytic processes for the degradation of organic pollutants contained in water has been one of the benchmarks. Compared to crystalline titanium dioxide (cTiO₂), the amorphous material has the advantages of having a higher adsorption capacity and being easier to dope with metal and non-metal elements. In this work, we take advantage of these two features to improve its photocatalytic properties in the degradation of Rhodamine B. The structural characterization by XRD analysis gives evidence of its amorphous nature and the SEM micrographs portray the disc morphology of 300 nm in diameter with heterogeneous grain boundaries. The degradation of Rhodamine B tests with the amorphous TiO₂ using visible light confirm its improved catalytic activity compared to that of a commercial product, Degussa P25, which is a well-known crystalline material.

A new one-pot synthesis of a novel A3B-type asymmetric zinc phthalocyanine (AZnPc) was developed. The phthalocyanine complex was characterized unambiguously and used to prepare a TiO2 hybrid photocatalyst to enhance its photocatalytic activity in the visible range. Different compositions of the phthalocyanine dye were tested in order to find the optimum amount of sensitizer to get the highest activity during the photocatalytic tests. The hybrid photocatalyst was characterized by UV-Vis diffuse reflectance (DRS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and its photocatalytic activity was compared with that of the individual components considering the effects of sensitization on their efficiency to degrade Rhodamine B as a model reaction. A synergic improvement of the photocatalytic activity for the hybrid system was explained in terms of an improved electron injection from the photo-activated phthalocyanine to the TiO2. Considering the structural features of the phthalocyanine sensitizer and their effect on aggregation, some mechanistic aspects of its binding to TiO2 are suggested to account for the photocatalytic activity enhancement. Finally, the inhibitory effect on the sprouting of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica) was evaluated in order to test the toxicity of the water effluent obtained after the photodegradation process. According to our growth inhibition assays, it was found that the Rh-B degradation by-products do not lead to an acute toxicity.

This study presents a novel biosensor for non-invasive glucose detection in saliva, using sol colloids with erbium phthalocyanine and polyvinyl acetate particles. Erbium phthalocyanine, a green, fluorescent pigment synthesized with a solar reactor, was characterized using various techniques, confirming its successful preparation. Thin films of erbium phthalocyanine in polyvinyl acetate colloids were deposited on glass substrates to manufacture the sensors. These films were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, revealing distinctive absorption bands. The biosensors effectively detected glucose in saliva from individuals with different health conditions. The study demonstrates the potential of these biosensors as practical and non-invasive tools for glucose monitoring, contributing to non-invasive diabetes monitoring technologies. The findings suggest that organic semiconductors, particularly erbium phthalocyanine, are significant in biosensor development, promising improved early detection and management of diabetes.

The study evaluates the impact of Erbium Phthalocyanine [ErPc] coatings on flat-plate solar heaters with different glass covers. SEM analysis revealed high-purity ErPc with nanospherical morphology, enhancing solar radiation absorption. However, agglomerates and nanowires may affect optical and thermal properties, highlighting the need for improved film uniformity. Solar heaters with ErPc coatings showed higher initial absorber plate temperatures, suggesting enhanced energy capture, but also exhibited temperature declines over time, indicating complex heat transfer dynamics. Polished glass allowed greater solar transmittance but increased thermal emissivity and heat loss, while unpolished glass better retained heat despite lower initial transmittance. The ErPc film modulated thermal response, possibly absorbing infrared radiation, but its full effect requires further study. The findings suggest that selective coatings like ErPc could improve solar heater efficiency, though optimizing film deposition, thorough thermal characterization, and long-term performance assessments under varying conditions are necessary for practical application.