Synthesis and photocatalytic activities of MnO2-loaded Nb2O5/carbon clusters composite material

Nano-sized Nb2O5/carbon clusters composite material denoted as Ic, has been successfully synthesized by the calcination of NbCl5/epoxy resin complex I. MnO2-loaded Nb2O5/carbon clusters composite materials were also prepared by doping the MnO2 particles on the surface of Ic. The compositions of the synthesized composite materials were determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy, elemental analysis and surface characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis), and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of the composites were also measured. The reduction reaction of methylene blue with the calcined materials under the visible light irradiation has also been examined. The composite material Ic, reduced the methylene blue under the irradiation of visible light (λ > 460 nm). The MnO2-loaded Ic composite material could also decompose an aqueous silver nitrate solution by visible light irradiation and give O2 and Ag with a [O2]:[Ag] ratio of 1:4.