Nb2O5/ZnAl-LDH composites and its calcined products for photocatalytic degradation of congo red under visible light irradiation

We demonstrate novel Nb2O5·nH2O/LDH composites that were firstly fabricated via hydrothermal synthesis of Nb2O5 microspheres followed by in situ growth of ZnAl-LDH shell. The structure of the Nb2O5·nH2O/LDH was investigated, and the results showed that the ZnAl-LDH had grew inside the slit of burr-surface of Nb2O5·nH2O microspheres. Its calcined product Nb2O5/LDO shows a high adsorption capacity of the congo red (abbr. CR). The photocatalytic experiment results indicate that the Nb2O5/LDO displays obviously photoactivity and the degradation of CR could reach a ratio of 85% under visible-light irradiation, but the Nb2O5 alone exhibits no photocatalytic activity for CR. The
- OH radicals may be predominant oxidative species responsible.