Abstract
Abstract This letter reports the preparation of visible light-driven N-modified Nb 2 O 5 photocatalyst by an alternative one-step solvothermal route, which employs nitric acid as the nitrogen source. N-modified Nb 2 O 5 nanoparticles (which were abbreviated as Nb 2 O 5 –HNO 3 ) were prepared directly through the solvothermal reactions of NbCl 5 , nitric acid (14.36–15.16 mol/L) and absolute ethanol at 200 °C for 15 h. The composition, structure and photoabsorption feature of Nb 2 O 5 –HNO 3 were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N 2 adsorption/desorption isotherms and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of Nb 2 O 5 –HNO 3 was examined in the reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) under visible light ( λ >420 nm) irradiation, and compared with that of Nb 2 O 5 –NH 3 (which denoted the sample prepared when 13.32–14.44 mol/L ammonia water replaced nitric acid). It was observed that Nb 2 O 5 –HNO 3 displayed distinct absorption of visible light and high photocatalytic activity in the reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) under visible light ( λ >420 nm) irradiation, whereas Nb 2 O 5 –NH 3 exhibited no visible light-absorbing ability and no visible light-driven photocatalytic activity. This work suggests that nitric acid is an alternative nitrogen source for one-step solvothermal preparation of visible light-driven N-modified Nb 2 O 5 photocatalyst.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call