Title: Photocatalytic activity of layered niobates ANdNb₂O₇ (A = H, Li, Na, Rb, Cs)

Authors: Alena A. Burovikhina; Ivan A. Rodionov; Mikhail V. Chislov; Dmitry A. Porotnikov; Irina A. Zvereva

Addresses: Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskiy av., Petrodvorets, St. Petersburg, 198504, Russia ' Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskiy av., Petrodvorets, St. Petersburg, 198504, Russia ' Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskiy av., Petrodvorets, St. Petersburg, 198504, Russia ' Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskiy av., Petrodvorets, St. Petersburg, 198504, Russia ' Institute of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, 26 Universitetskiy av., Petrodvorets, St. Petersburg, 198504, Russia

Abstract: Layered perovskite-type oxides ANdNb₂O₇ (A = Rb, Cs) were synthesised by the ceramic technique, ANdNb₂O₇ (A = Li, Na) - by ion exchange reaction in molten nitrates, and HNdNb₂O₇ - by ion exchange in an acid solution. These compounds were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction, TG analysis, UV-Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Intercalation of water molecules into the interlayer space was detected only for NaNdNb₂O₇. Analysis of the photocatalytic activity was performed for photoinduced hydrogen evolution reaction from aqueous isopropyl alcohol. The highest photocatalytic activity was observed for RbNdNb₂O₇.

Keywords: layered perovskite-type oxides; photocatalytic activity; hydrogen evolution; solar energy; band gap; interlayer space; water intercalation; solar power; layered niobates; ion exchange; nanotechnology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2016.074531

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2016 Vol.13 No.1/2/3, pp.158 - 167

Published online: 04 Feb 2016 *

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