Recent advances in niobium-based materials for photocatalytic solar fuel production

verfasst von

Barbara Nascimento Nunes, Osmando Ferreira Lopes, Antonio Otavio T. Patrocinio, Detlef W. Bahnemann

Abstract

The search for renewable and clean energy sources is a key aspect for sustainable development as energy consumption has continuously increased over the years concomitantly with environmental concerns caused by the use of fossil fuels. Semiconductor materials have great potential for acting as photocatalysts for solar fuel production, a potential energy source able to solve both energy and environmental concerns. Among the studied semiconductor materials, those based on niobium pentacation are still shallowly explored, although the number of publications and patents on Nb(V)-based photocatalysts has increased in the last years. A large variety of Nb(V)-based materials exhibit suitable electronic/morphological properties for light-driving reactions. Not only the extensive group of Nb

₂O

₅ polymorphs is explored, but also many types of layered niobates, mixed oxides, and Nb(V)-doped semiconductors. Therefore, the aim of this manuscript is to provide a review of the latest developments of niobium based photocatalysts for energy conversion into fuels, more specifically, CO

₂ reduction to hydrocarbons or H

₂ eVolution from water. Additionally, the main strategies for improving the photocatalytic performance of niobium-based materials are discussed.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Technische Chemie

Externe Organisation(en)

Universidade Federal de Uberlandia
Staatliche Universität Sankt Petersburg

Typ

Übersichtsarbeit

Journal

CATALYSTS

Band

10

ISSN

2073-4344

Publikationsdatum

16.01.2020

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Katalyse, Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 7 – Erschwingliche und saubere Energie

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10010126 (Zugang: Offen)