Development of Nb2O5-doped ZnO/Carbon xerogel photocatalyst for the photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol

Author(s)

de Moraes, Nicolas Perciani ^[1] ; dos Santos, Gabriela Spirandelli ^[1] ; Neves, Gabriel Costa ^[1] ; Valim, Ricardo Bertholo ^[1] ; Rocha, Robson da Silva ^[1] ; Landers, Richard ^[2] ; Caetano Pinto da Silva, Maria Lucia ^[1] ; Rodrigues, Liana Alvares ^[1]

Affiliation

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

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Fis Gleb Wataghin, 500 Ave Albert Einstein, BR-13083852 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: OPTIK; v. 219, OCT 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This work evaluates the properties of a new Nb2O5-doped ZnO/carbon xerogel photocatalyst and its efficiency for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol under solar radiation. The development of this material is aimed at diminishing charge recombination during the photocatalytic process. The diffractograms obtained confirm the presence of the hexagonal zinc oxide structure in all samples, whereas the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the presence of Nb2O5 on the structure of the ternary photocatalyst. The higher specific surface area of the Nb2O5-doped material, as well as the lower value of gap energy, can be ascribed to the presence of the newly incorporated metallic oxide into the structure of the materials, along with the carbon xerogel. The photocatalytic tests results show that the material with Nb2O5 in its composition exhibited superior efficiency in the degradation of 4-chlorophenol under simulated solar radiation, obtaining a much higher apparent reaction rate constant. Furthermore, the modification impacts the photocatalytic mechanism, which becomes greatly dependent on the hydroxyl radical. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/12035-7 - Mechanical and antimicrobial properties of Ag/PMMA nanocomposite
• Grantee: Gilmar Patrocínio Thim
• Support Opportunities: 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 Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic 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 Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• 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 Opportunities: 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 Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate