Ta/TiO2-and Nb/TiO2-Mixed Oxides as Efficient Solar Photocatalysts: Preparation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity

Ta/TiO2- and Nb/TiO2-mixed oxides photocatalysts were prepared by simple impregnation method at different TiO2 : Nb or Ta mass ratios of 1 : 0.1, 1 : 0.5, and 1 : 1, followed by calcination at 500∘C. The prepared powders have been characterized by XRD, XPS, UV-Vis spectra, and SEM. The photocatalyti...

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Main Authors: Hussein Znad, Ming H. Ang, Moses O. Tade
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:International Journal of Photoenergy
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/548158
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author Hussein Znad
Ming H. Ang
Moses O. Tade
author_facet Hussein Znad
Ming H. Ang
Moses O. Tade
author_sort Hussein Znad
collection DOAJ
description Ta/TiO2- and Nb/TiO2-mixed oxides photocatalysts were prepared by simple impregnation method at different TiO2 : Nb or Ta mass ratios of 1 : 0.1, 1 : 0.5, and 1 : 1, followed by calcination at 500∘C. The prepared powders have been characterized by XRD, XPS, UV-Vis spectra, and SEM. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated under natural solar light for decolorization and mineralization of azo dye Orange II solution. The results showed that Nb/TiO2- and Ta/TiO2-mixed oxides have higher activity than the untreated TiO2 under natural solar light. The maximum activity was observed for Nb/TiO2 sample (at mass ratio of 1 : 0.1), which is characterized by the smallest crystalline size (17.79 nm). Comparing with the untreated TiO2, the solar decolorization and mineralization rates improved by about 140% and 237%, respectively, and the band gap reduced to 2.80 eV. The results suggest that the crystal lattices of TiO2 powder are locally distorted by incorporating Nb5+ species into TiO2, forming a new band energy structure, which is responsible for the absorption in the visible region. Unlike Ta/TiO2, the Nb/TiO2-mixed oxides can prevent the grain size growth of the treated TiO2, which is important to achieve high solar photoactivity.
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spelling doaj-art-0cc345658a8847f2b81f05c75c4e94542025-08-20T02:03:01ZengWileyInternational Journal of Photoenergy1110-662X1687-529X2012-01-01201210.1155/2012/548158548158Ta/TiO2-and Nb/TiO2-Mixed Oxides as Efficient Solar Photocatalysts: Preparation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic ActivityHussein Znad0Ming H. Ang1Moses O. Tade2Chemical Engineering Department, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6845, AustraliaChemical Engineering Department, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6845, AustraliaChemical Engineering Department, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth, WA 6845, AustraliaTa/TiO2- and Nb/TiO2-mixed oxides photocatalysts were prepared by simple impregnation method at different TiO2 : Nb or Ta mass ratios of 1 : 0.1, 1 : 0.5, and 1 : 1, followed by calcination at 500∘C. The prepared powders have been characterized by XRD, XPS, UV-Vis spectra, and SEM. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated under natural solar light for decolorization and mineralization of azo dye Orange II solution. The results showed that Nb/TiO2- and Ta/TiO2-mixed oxides have higher activity than the untreated TiO2 under natural solar light. The maximum activity was observed for Nb/TiO2 sample (at mass ratio of 1 : 0.1), which is characterized by the smallest crystalline size (17.79 nm). Comparing with the untreated TiO2, the solar decolorization and mineralization rates improved by about 140% and 237%, respectively, and the band gap reduced to 2.80 eV. The results suggest that the crystal lattices of TiO2 powder are locally distorted by incorporating Nb5+ species into TiO2, forming a new band energy structure, which is responsible for the absorption in the visible region. Unlike Ta/TiO2, the Nb/TiO2-mixed oxides can prevent the grain size growth of the treated TiO2, which is important to achieve high solar photoactivity.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/548158
spellingShingle Hussein Znad
Ming H. Ang
Moses O. Tade
Ta/TiO2-and Nb/TiO2-Mixed Oxides as Efficient Solar Photocatalysts: Preparation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity
International Journal of Photoenergy
title Ta/TiO2-and Nb/TiO2-Mixed Oxides as Efficient Solar Photocatalysts: Preparation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity
title_full Ta/TiO2-and Nb/TiO2-Mixed Oxides as Efficient Solar Photocatalysts: Preparation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity
title_fullStr Ta/TiO2-and Nb/TiO2-Mixed Oxides as Efficient Solar Photocatalysts: Preparation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity
title_full_unstemmed Ta/TiO2-and Nb/TiO2-Mixed Oxides as Efficient Solar Photocatalysts: Preparation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity
title_short Ta/TiO2-and Nb/TiO2-Mixed Oxides as Efficient Solar Photocatalysts: Preparation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity
title_sort ta tio2 and nb tio2 mixed oxides as efficient solar photocatalysts preparation characterization and photocatalytic activity
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/548158
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AT minghang tatio2andnbtio2mixedoxidesasefficientsolarphotocatalystspreparationcharacterizationandphotocatalyticactivity
AT mosesotade tatio2andnbtio2mixedoxidesasefficientsolarphotocatalystspreparationcharacterizationandphotocatalyticactivity