Spontaneously formed gradient chemical compositional structures of niobium doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles enhance ultraviolet- and visible-light photocatalytic performance.

ABSTRACT: Semiconductor photocatalysts showing excellent performance under irradiation of both ultraviolet (UV)- and visible (VIS)-light are highly demanded towards realization of sustainable energy systems. TiO₂ is one of the most common photocatalysts and has been widely investigated as candidate showing UV/VIS responsive performance. In this study, we report synthesis of Nb doped TiO₂ by environmentally benign mechanochemical reaction. Nb atoms were successfully incorporated into TiO₂ lattice by applying mechanical energy. As synthesized Nb doped TiO₂ were metastable phase and formed chemical compositional gradient structure of poorly Nb doped TiO₂ core and highly Nb doped TiO₂ surface after high temperature heat treatment. It was found that formed gradient chemical compositional heterojunctions effectively enhanced photocatalytic performance of Nb doped TiO₂ under both of UV- and VIS-light irradiation, which is different trend compared with Nb doped TiO₂ prepared through conventional methods. The approach shown here will be employed for versatile systems because of simple and environmentally benign process.

SUBMITTER: Tarutani N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8324787 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature