Authors

Abstract

Mesoporous titania adapted chromium-niobate nanocatalysts CrxNbxTi1-2xO2-x/2 (x = 0.01-0.2) were synthesized by a new synthetic approach, using N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (edteH4) precursors and their photocatalytic activities were investigated. TiO2 nanomaterials have continued to be highly active in photocatalytic applications because these are useful to break down the organic molecules in water for endorsing the diffusion of reactants and products. CrxNbxTi1-2xO2-x/2 (x = 0.01)(CNT1) nanoparticles with the smaller particle sizes 12±1 nm and have mesoporous characteristics (SBET = 162 m 2 g −1 ). The energy band gap of CNT1 was found 1.85 eV obtained from optical emission spectrum. The XRD peaks revealed a mixture of anatase and rutile phases in the synthesized powders. EPR spectroscopy showed the characteristic features of Nb 5+ ions, whose existence was confirmed by XPS. The CNT1 powders display good (2.5 times greater) photocatalytic activity for degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) as opposed to pure anatase TiO2 and other compositions of CrxNbxTi1-2xO2-x/2.

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