Enhanced Photocatalytic Properties Of The Nb2O5@rGO For The Degradation Of Methylene Blue

Abstract Mixing the advantages of nano- Nb2O5 and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), composite systems offer great potential of exploration. Herein, Nb2O5 nanoparticles (NPs) and Nb2O5 modified reduced graphene oxide (Nb2O5@rGO) urchin-like have been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal process. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic efficiency of the Nb2O5 NPs and Nb2O5/rGO urchin like were evaluated with respect to the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under solar radiation. It is found that the Nb2O5/rGO with porous structure and high specific surface area of ~ 105.25 m2/g shows significantly superior photocatalytic performances for the removal of the MB dye (99% degradation after 1h illumination) than pure Nb2O5 (20% degradation after 1h illumination). The improvement in the photocatalytic properties of the composite material is mainly ascribed to a cooperative effect between the rGO with good electrical conductivity and the unique nano-porous structure of Nb2O5 with abundant catalytic active sites, superior charge transfer efficiency, and stronger oxidation property.