Influence of Nb2O5 crystal structure on photocatalytic efficiency

Abstract This work demonstrates the application of crystalline Nb2O5 powders with different phases as photocatalysts in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The crystalline structure and the corresponding surface area of Nb2O5 changed with an increase in the heat-treatment temperature, leading to different photocatalytic activities. Thus, for Nb2O5 with low crystallinity, the total degradation of RhB on pseudohexagonal Nb2O5 is 97%, whereas that on orthorhombic Nb2O5 is 57%. The degradation products of RhB were identified from the results of high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and total organic content analysis, and the possible photocatalytic degradation pathways are proposed.