Facile fabrication of hierarchical p-Ag2O/n-Nb2O5 heterojunction microspheres with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity. Issue 38 (11th June 2020) - Wang, Lu
Abstract : Constructing p–n heterojunction is an efficient strategy to improve the photocatalytic efficiency. Abstract : Constructing p–n heterojunction is an efficient strategy to improve the photocatalytic efficiency. Here, we report a hierarchical Ag2 O/Nb2 O5 heterojunction composite as a novel and efficient visible-light driven photocatalyst. Hierarchical Nb2 O5 microspheres were prepared by a hydrothermal method, and then the in situ growth of Ag2 O nanoparticles on their surfaces was realized by a simple deposition method. Structural and textural features of the Ag2 O/Nb2 O5 composites were investigated, revealing that Ag2 O nanoparticles were well distributed on the surface of Nb2 O5 microspheres. Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) was significantly enhanced by Ag2 O/Nb2 O5 photocatalysts under visible light. The optimal Ag/Nb molar ratio was determined to be 0.15 : 1, which yielded a 21.8 times faster degradation rate constant than plain Nb2 O5 microspheres and had excellent stability for at least 4 catalytic cycles. The superior photocatalytic performance of Ag2 O/Nb2 O5 photocatalyst can be ascribed to the hierarchical superstructure as well as the heterojunction between Ag2 O and Nb2 O5, which facilitated the separation of photogenerated charge carriers. This work has potential application in the future for solving environmental pollution.