Study on the Heterojunction Photocatalyst Nb₂WO₈/ZnO Prepared by Ball Milling Method

Abstract:

Orthorhombic Nb₂WO₈ was synthesized by solid state reaction in Nb₂O₅-WO₃ system. Heterojunction photocatalyst Nb₂WO₈/ZnO was prepared by ball milling. The structural and optical properties of the photocatalyst were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and fluorescence emission spectroscopy.The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photocatalytic oxidation of rhodamine B and reduction of Cr⁶⁺. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of the Nb₂WO₈/ZnO was higher than that of ZnO. When the amount of doped Nb2WO8 was 10 wt.% and the sample was ball milled for 9 h, the Nb₂WO₈/ZnO showed the optimal photocatalytic activity. Effect of ball milling time on the photocatalytic activity was also investigated. The mechanisms of the increase in the photocatalytic activity were discussed by the valence band principle.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 399-401)
• Pages: 1241-1245
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.399-401.1241
• Online since: November 2011
• Authors: Jin Feng Zhang, Xiao Ling Yu, Wei Liu, Shi Fu Chen
• Keywords: Activity, Ball Milling, Heterojunction, Nb₂WO₈/ZnO, Photocatalyst

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