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

authored by
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.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Technical Chemistry
External Organisation(s)
Universidade Federal de Uberlandia
Saint Petersburg State University
Type
Review article
Journal
CATALYSTS
Volume
10
ISSN
2073-4344
Publication date
16.01.2020
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Catalysis, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.3390/catal10010126 (Access: Open)