Immobilized photosensitizers for solar photochemical applications

New hydrophilic immobilized photosensitizers (heterogeneous phase) were syn thesized that overcome some disadvantages of the use of homogeneous phase s ensitizers for detoxification and disinfection of water. The chosen sensiti zers, based on porphyrin moieties, were bound on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The measured production rate of singlet oxygen is significantly hig her than that of the well-known rose bengal immobilized on Merrifield polym er. The sensitive polymer can be used for detoxification and disinfection o f polluted water. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.