Shape-dependent acidity and photocatalytic activity of Nb2O5 nanocrystals with an active TT (001) surface

Yun Zhao; Clive Eley; Jingping Hu; John S Foord; Lin Ye; Heyong He; Shik Chi Edman Tsang

doi:10.1002/anie.201108580

Shape-dependent acidity and photocatalytic activity of Nb2O5 nanocrystals with an active TT (001) surface

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2012 Apr 16;51(16):3846-9. doi: 10.1002/anie.201108580. Epub 2012 Feb 1.

Authors

Yun Zhao¹, Clive Eley, Jingping Hu, John S Foord, Lin Ye, Heyong He, Shik Chi Edman Tsang

Affiliation

¹ Wolfson Catalysis Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, UK.

PMID: 22298466
DOI: 10.1002/anie.201108580

Abstract

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.