Development of Nb2O5 synthesis methodologies and evaluation of its potential in the treatment of organic effluents

• Grant number: 17/17553-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2018
• End date: November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Vagner Romito de Mendonça
• Grantee: Thaís Aparecida Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo (IFSP). Campus Itapetininga. Itapetininga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Although Brazil is the largest producer of Niobium-containing minerals in the world, government programs on its proper exploitation and commercialization are scarce, as consequence of the lack of knowledge about the most varied applications of these materials. One of these, Niobium Oxide (Nb2O5), stands out because of its promising structural, electronic and surface characteristics. Considering the above mentioned, it is clear that it is necessary basic research involving the preparation and applications of Niobium materials in accordance with national interests. Therefore, this project aims at the study of Nb2O5 heterostructures synthesis methodologies and its application in environmental systems. The development of reproducible and clean Nb2O5 synthesis methodologies on nanometric scale and the formation of heterostructures with other materials, such as TiO2, SnO2 and ZnO, are mainly sought. The ammonia complex of niobium oxalate ((NH4)[NbO(C2O4)2.n(H2O)], provided by the Brazilian company CBMM, will be used as a source of Nb for nanostructures. Heterostructures will be prepared by applying hydrothermal treatment of metal precursors or pre formed semiconductors. The heterostructures will be characterized and applied in the treatment of effluents containing organic contaminants, such as dyes, pesticides or medicaments, via heterogeneous photocatalysis, in order to add value to the compounds of this abundant element in our territory. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

A. RODRIGUES, THAIS; FALSETTI, PAULO H. E.; DEL DUQUE, DOUGLAS M. S.; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; F. LOPES, OSMANDO; AVANSI, WALDIR; RIBEIRO, CAUE; R. DE MENDONCA, VAGNER. A Versatile Nb2O5/SnO2 Heterostructure for Different Environmental Purposes: Water Treatment and Artificial Photosynthesis. CHEMCATCHEM, v. 13, n. 2, DEC 2020. (17/17553-3, 18/01258-5)