Hexagonal-Nb2O5/Anatase-TiO2 mixtures and their applications in the removal of Methylene Blue dye under various conditions

Author(s)

Ferraz, Nathalia P. ; Marcos, Francielle C. F. ; Nogueira, Andre E. ; Martins, Alysson S. ; Lanza, Marcos R. V. ; Assaf, Elisabete M. ; Asencios, Yvan J. O.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Materials Chemistry and Physics; v. 198, p. 331-340, SEP 1 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

To the best of our knowledge, catalysts based on mixtures of Hexagonal-Nb2O5/Anatase-TiO2 have not been well studied yet. In this sense, the aim of the present study was to synthesize, characterize and explore the catalytic activity of Hexagonal-Nb2O5/Anatase-TiO2 catalysts in the removal of Methylene Blue dye, MB (used as model molecule of organic pollutant in aqueous solution), under UV-light (253.7 nm), Visible-light (400-700 nm) and Visible-light (400-700 nm) plus H2O2. The influence of the Hexagonal-Nb2O5 on the activity of a commercial TiO2 (Rutile/Anatase) was evaluated. The catalysts were characterized by various techniques; XRD, H-2-TPR, BET, EDX, DRS and SEM. Our results show that the presence of Hexagonal-Nb2O5 hinders the Anatase-to-Rutile phase transformation of TiO2, sensitizes and enhances the photocatalytic activity of the commercial TiO2 under white-light. The best catalyst was the sample with 60 wt % of Nb2O5 (0.6NbTi sample), showing the highest removal values of MB in aqueous solutions under white-light and white-light plus H2O2. Additionally, the present paper shows a new route to obtain a single hexagonal phase of Nb2O5 using Niobium Ammoniacal Oxalate by a simple and economic route. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/24940-5 - Development of solid-catalysts based on semiconductor oxides for the hydrogen production from water splitting
• Grantee: Yvan Jesus Olortiga Asencios
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants