Synthesis of nitrogen-doped KNbO3 nanocubes with high photocatalytic activity for water splitting and degradation of organic pollutants under visible light

Ruwei Wang; Yufeng Zhu; Yongfu Qiu; Chi-Fai Leung; Jun He; Guijian Liu; Tai-Chu Lau

doi:10.1016/j.cej.2013.04.049

Author(s)

Ruwei Wang
Yufeng Zhu
Yongfu Qiu
Chi-Fai Leung
Jun He
And 2 others

Guijian Liu
Tai-Chu Lau

Detail(s)

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	123-130
Journal / Publication	Chemical Engineering Journal
Volume	226
Publication status	Published - 5 Jun 2013

Link(s)

DOI	DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2013.04.049 Final Published version
	Check@CityULib
Link to Scopus	https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84877824592&origin=recordpage
Permanent Link	https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/en/publications/publication(03544f03-e823-4dbd-8b96-5b0e6036042e).html

Abstract

The effects of KOH concentration (10-30M) on the morphology of KNbO₃ produced from Nb₂O₅ by hydrothermal synthesis have been investigated. High purity KNbO₃ nanocubes have been obtained using 30M KOH at 200°C. The KNbO₃ nanocubes can be readily doped with nitrogen by heating with urea at 425°C without significant change in morphology. The band gap of KNbO₃ decreases from 3.13 to 2.76eV as a result of N-doping, the surface area also increases substantially. The photocatalytic activity of the N-doped KNbO₃ nanocubes has been evaluated by photodegradation of four organic contaminants (rhodamine B, orange G, bisphenol A and pentachlorophenol) as well as water splitting under visible light irradiation. The results show that the photocatalytic activity of N-doped KNbO₃ is significantly higher than that of pure KNbO₃ nanocubes and Degussa TiO₂ P25 under visible light irradiation. © 2013.