Shape-dependent acidity and photocatalytic activity of Nb2O5 nanocrystals with an active TT (001) surface.
Nb(2)O(5) nanorods and nanospheres were synthesized, and their photocatalytic activity for methylene blue decomposition in water compared. Nb(2)O(5) nanorods clearly displayed higher activity, despite their comparable surface area. With a shape-dependent surface acidity, hydrothermal stability, and high photoactivity, these Nb(2)O(5) nanorods are a unique and exciting nanomaterial for non-classical photocatalytic mineralization of organic compounds in water.
Wolfson Catalysis Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, UK.
Yun
Y
Zhao
Clive
C
Eley
Jingping
J
Hu
John S
JS
Foord
Lin
L
Ye
Heyong
H
He
Shik Chi Edman
SC
Tsang