Photodegradation of acid yellow 23 BY Nb2O5 supported on eco-friendly glass foams

Photocatalytic processes are efficient techniques for decolorization of dye-contaminated water. However, efficient techniques for complete recovery of the spent catalysts, after the process, are required. Based on this need, the present study describes the synthesis of the composites of niobium(V) oxide (Nb2O5) supported on eco-friendly glass foams (GFs) as well as their applications as photocatalytic materials in the treatment of wastewater using Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs). The GFs decorated with different shapes of Nb2O5 particles (GF-Nb2O5) were synthesized using microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) technique. The GF-Nb2O5 composites were utilized as photocatalysts for treatment of water containing Acid Yellow 23 (AY-23) dye. By varying the morphology (laminar, spherical or rods-shaped) and optical characteristics (optical band gap between 3.2 eV and 3.1 eV) of the Nb2O5, the particles of Nb2O5 formed were dependent on the time and temperature of synthesis. The sample synthesized at 160 °C and 15 min possessed microrod particles, which were coordinated in such a way to give a “microrod forest” that was capable of covering the support material. In addition, this sample degraded 91.1% of the AY-23 synthetic dye from water in 300 min. With such an exceptional performance, the growth of the Nb2O5 in this unique architecture could serve as an important driver for adopting the novel concept for the efficient treatment of dye-contaminated water. The results showed high possibility of applying GF-Nb2O5 for the effective treatment of dye-polluted water using AOPs, which eliminate catalyst separation step usually performed in the process.