Synthesis, characterization and application of Nb2O5-doped zinc oxide for solar-based photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol

Author(s)

de Moraes, Nicolas Perciani ^[1] ; Antonio Roupinha, Lais Helena ^[1] ; dos Santos, Gabriela Spirandelli ^[1] ; Canuto de Menezes, Beatriz Rossi ^[2] ; Martins de Sousa, Juliana Giancoli ^[1] ; Juca Dantas, Gustavo Viegas ^[1] ; Chaguri, Livia ^{[1, 2]} ; Rodrigues, Liana Alvares ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Engn Lorena EEL, Estr Municipal Campinho S-N, BR-12602810 Lorena, SP - Brazil

^[2] CTA, Inst Tecnol Aeronaut ITA, Praca Mal Eduardo Gomes 50, BR-12228900 Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Materials Letters; v. 275, SEP 15 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This project studied the development of niobium oxide-doped zinc oxide photocatalysts, aiming to increase the photocatalytic efficiency of zinc oxide (ZnO). Characterization results prove the existence of zinc oxide and niobium oxide (Nb2O5) in the developed material. The addition of niobium oxide caused an increase in specific surface area and a decrease in the gap energy of the material. The results of 4-chlorophenol photodegradation show that the modified material displayed higher photocatalytic activity than pure ZnO. The superior photocatalytic activity is derived from the morphological and structural properties of the modified material, as well as from the heterojunctions formed between the semiconductors. The greater efficiency of charge transfer in the Nb2O5-doped material is demonstrated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/02762-5 - Development of technologies to prevent pollution: degradation and monitoring online of antibiotics in sewage
• Grantee: Robson da Silva Rocha
• Support type: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/16360-0 - Development of ZnO/Bi2O3/Carbon xerogel ternary composites as photocatalysts for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants
• Grantee: Nicolas Perciani de Moraes
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/12035-7 - Mechanical and antimicrobial properties of Ag/PMMA nanocomposite
• Grantee: Gilmar Patrocínio Thim
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/10492-1 - Photocatalytic evaluation of heterojunctions semiconductor/ZnO/carbon xerogel in the photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol in both fluidized bed and batch reactors
• Grantee: Liana Alvares Rodrigues
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/10118-0 - Study and application of electrochemical technology for the analysis and degradation of endocrine interferents: materials, sensors, processes and scientific dissemination
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants