Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic properties of SnO2 quantum dots by niobium modification

Yang Wang; Ningning Su; Jianqiao Liu; Yuhao Lin; Jingke Wang; Xuan Guo; Yihan Zhang; Zikang Qin; Jifei Liu; Chenyang Zhang; Xiao Qu; Wenping Li; Ce Fu; Junsheng Wang; Qianru Zhang

Results in Physics (Jun 2022)

Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic properties of SnO2 quantum dots by niobium modification

Yang Wang,
Ningning Su,
Jianqiao Liu,
Yuhao Lin,
Jingke Wang,
Xuan Guo,
Yihan Zhang,
Zikang Qin,
Jifei Liu,
Chenyang Zhang,
Xiao Qu,
Wenping Li,
Ce Fu,
Junsheng Wang,
Qianru Zhang

Affiliations

Yang Wang: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China
Ningning Su: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China
Jianqiao Liu: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China; Institute of Agriculture Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Center of Microfluidic Optoelectronic Sensing, Dalian Maritime University, 1 Linghai Road, Dalian 116026, PR China; Corresponding authors at: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China.
Yuhao Lin: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China
Jingke Wang: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China
Xuan Guo: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China
Yihan Zhang: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China
Zikang Qin: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China
Jifei Liu: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China
Chenyang Zhang: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China
Xiao Qu: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China
Wenping Li: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China
Ce Fu: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China; Corresponding authors at: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China.
Junsheng Wang: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China; Center of Microfluidic Optoelectronic Sensing, Dalian Maritime University, 1 Linghai Road, Dalian 116026, PR China; Corresponding authors at: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China.
Qianru Zhang: Institute of Agriculture Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, PR China; Corresponding authors at: College of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116026, Liaoning, PR China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 37
p. 105515

Abstract

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The incorporation of transition metal elements is an effective route to enhance the photocatalytic properties of semiconductors. Tin oxide (SnO2) has a wide band gap of 3.6 eV, which inhibits its applications as visible-light photocatalysts. In this work, niobium-modified SnO2 quantum dots (Nb-SnO2 QDs) are synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method. The crystal structures and optical properties of the Nb-SnO2 QDs are characterized and the photocatalytic performances are evaluated by the degradation of organic contaminants under visible-light illumination. The rate constant of Nb-SnO2 QDs increases 2.34 times as that of pristine SnO2 QDs in MO degradation. The improved photocatalytic properties are ascribed to the modified band structure by the transition metal. The main active radical is determined to be O2·− in the photocatalytic process. The first principle computational models are established based on the experimental characteristics of Nb-SnO2 QDs. The calculation reveals that Nb incorporation brings an impurity energy level in the band structure, which is originated from the 4d orbital electrons of Nb atoms.

Published in Results in Physics

ISSN: 2211-3797 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Physics
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/results-in-physics/

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