Abstract
Released niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) nanostructured powders were firstly prepared by a continuous electrochemical anodization under mild reaction conditions. The powders show mainly tube morphology, with the crystalline phase (amorphous, hexagonal, or orthorhombic), crystallinity, surface area (42.3−132.9 m2 g−1), and bandgap (3.1−3.7 eV) strongly dependent on the crystallization condition. The photocatalytic (PC) activity of the powder photocatalyst was investigated by photodegradation of methylene blue under UV light and full-spectrum solar light illuminations. The powder annealed at a low temperature of 350°C shows visible-light-response photoactivity and also the highest PC efficiencies. The kinetic rate constant under solar light illumination is 0.135 min−1 for the 350°C annealed powder, which is nearly 2.4, 5.9, 15, and 45 times of the 550°C-annealed, as-formed, 750°C-annealed, and commercial ones, respectively. The excellent PC performance is mainly attributed to the high surface area and enhanced surface oxygen vacancies that allow a high and broad light absorption in the visible region. The synthesis method provides low-cost, efficient, continuous, and mass production of nanoporous Nb2O5 for broad applications.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
