Synthesis and characterization of Nb2O5 supported Pd(II)@SBA15: Catalytic activity towards oxidation of benzhydrol and Rhodamine-B

Photocatalytic removal of 17β-estradiol from water using a novel bimetallic NiCu/Nb2O5 catalyst

The development of effective photocatalytic materials is essential for removing emerging pollutants from aqueous media, such as the hormone 17β-estradiol (E2). In this study, a novel photocatalyst based on niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) functionalized with nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) was synthesized for E2 removal. The NiCu/Nb2O5 photocatalyst was prepared using a facile wet impregnation method and characterized by various techniques. The incorporation of Ni and Cu into Nb2O5 reduced the band gap energy from 3.3 to 2.8 eV, enabling efficient utilization of visible light. Moreover, NiCu/Nb2O5 exhibited the highest E2 removal efficiency (82%) under UV-A-assisted conditions at a concentration of 1.5 g L-1. The reaction kinetics were found to follow a second-order model with a rate constant of k = 0.0020 L g-1 min-1, and a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed. Through the study of radical elimination, it was proven that the radical oxidation reaction mechanism predominated in the reaction. The results of the toxicity assays, combined with the TOC parameter, demonstrated the efficacy of photocatalytic degradation in reducing E2. These findings demonstrate the great potential of the NiCu/Nb2O5 photocatalyst for removing persistent pollutants.

Assessing the Rheological, Mechanical, and Photocatalytic Properties of Niobium Oxide-Incorporated White Cement Pastes

Niobium oxide (Nb₂O₅) is a semiconductor that exhibits photocatalytic properties, making it potentially valuable in addressing air pollution, self-cleaning, and self-disinfection in cement-based materials (CBMs). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of different Nb₂O₅ concentrations on various parameters, including rheological characteristics, hydration kinetics (measured using isothermal calorimetry), compressive strength, and photocatalytic activity, specifically in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in white Portland cement pastes. The incorporation of Nb₂O₅ increased the yield stress and viscosity of the pastes by up to 88.9% and 33.5%, respectively, primarily due to the larger specific surface area (SSA) provided by Nb₂O₅. However, this addition did not significantly affect the hydration kinetics or the compressive strength of the cement pastes after 3 and 28 days. Tests focusing on the degradation of RhB in the cement pastes revealed that the inclusion of 2.0 wt.% of Nb₂O₅ was insufficient to degrade the dye when exposed to 393 nm UV light. However, an interesting observation was made concerning RhB in the presence of CBMs, as it demonstrated a degradation mechanism that was not dependent on light. This phenomenon was attributed to the production of superoxide anion radicals resulting from the interaction between the alkaline medium and hydrogen peroxide.

Access to Diarylmethanol Skeletons via a Samarium/Copper-Mediated Sequential Three-Component C-H Functionalization Reaction

A novel three-component reaction was developed via a one-pot strategy for the construction of diarylmethanol esters by using a halobenzene and an ester in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) under mild conditions. The reaction involves the direct functionalization of halobenzene under the Sm-CuI catalyst system. It was proved that 10% (mol) of CuI is sufficient to realize the reductive coupling reaction. Influences of substituents were illustrated from both electronic and steric effects. The reaction mechanism was also discussed.

Nb2O5-Based Photocatalysts

Photocatalysis is one potential solution to the energy and environmental crisis and greatly relies on the development of the catalysts. Niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5), a typically nontoxic metal oxide, is eco-friendly and exhibits strong oxidation ability, and has attracted considerable attention from researchers. Furthermore, unique Lewis acid sites (LASs) and Brønsted acid sites (BASs) are observed on Nb2O5 prepared by different methods. Herein, the recent advances in the synthesis and application of Nb2O5-based photocatalysts, including the pure Nb2O5, doped Nb2O5, metal species supported on Nb2O5, and other composited Nb2O5 catalysts, are summarized. An overview is provided for the role of size and crystalline phase, unsaturated Nb sites and oxygen vacancies, LASs and BASs, dopants and surface metal species, and heterojunction structure on the Nb2O5-based catalysts in photocatalysis. Finally, the challenges are also presented, which are possibly overcome by integrating the synthetic methodology, developing novel photoelectric characterization techniques, and a profound understanding of the local structure of Nb2O5.

Niobium Pentoxide Samples with Addition of Manganese at Different Concentrations and Calcination Temperatures Applied in the Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine B

In order to improve the photocatalytic effect of Nb2O5, manganese from 1% to 10% was added by the polymeric precursor’s method. The samples obtained were subjected to different calcination temperatures from 400 to 700 °C. Characterization of the synthesized materials was performed by XRD, IR, Raman and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) spectroscopy, FE-SEM, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, Photoluminescence (PL) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Photocatalytic performance for degradation of Rhodamine B was also evaluated. The Rietveld refined X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern of Nb2O5:Mn 1.0 wt.% (700 °C) sample was similar to that of the un-doped oxide, therefore indicating that Nb was replaced by Mn and, consequently, there are not significant variations in the oxide structure. The Nb2O5:Mn 10.0 wt.% (700 °C) sample has the lowest band gap energy. The specific surface area (SBET) PL value increased as manganese concentration increased. The Nb2O5:Mn 5.0 wt.% (700 °C) sample has an Eg of 3.15 eV and morphological and surface characteristics that made it an appropriate photocatalyst in the Rhodamine B degradation. The novelty of this work relies on the use of a small quantity of Mn ions as dopants leading to Nb2O5:Mn nanostructured particles without using any surfactant or other additives.

SBA15-Fluconazole as a Protective Approach Against Mild Steel Corrosion: Synthesis, Characterization, and Computational Studies

A SBA15-Fluconazole composite (SBA15-Flu) was prepared to formulate a self-healing coating for mild steel. The composite was obtained by dispersing SBA15 in a methanolic solution containing Fluconazole (Flu). The materials were characterized by using different techniques. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used for protective behavior evaluation of the coatings on mild steel substrates in an electrolytic solution prepared from sodium chloride and ammonium sulfate. The EIS results indicate that the inhibitor trapped in the SiO2 matrix is released when it comes into contact the aggressive solution, thus protecting the metal. To understand the inhibitor release mechanism, docking studies were used to model the SBA15-Flu complex, which allowed us to further determine polar and non-polar contributions to the binding free energy. An analysis of the electron density within the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and the non-covalent interaction index frameworks were also carried out for the most favorable models of SBA15-Flu. The results indicate that the liberation rate of the Flu molecules is mainly determined by the formation of strong O-H⋅⋅⋅O, O-H⋅⋅⋅N, and O-H⋅⋅⋅F hydrogen bonds.

Synthesis and characterization of carbon microtube/tantalum oxide composites and their photocatalytic activity under visible irradiation

The CMT/Ta₂O₅ composites were used as photocatalyst in the degradation of xylenol orange and methyl orange dyes.

Zeolite encapsulated active metal composites and their photocatalytic studies for rhodamine-B, reactive red-198 and chloro-phenols

Niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta) and palladium (Pd) were impregnated in the cavities of a zeolite by the ion exchange method.