Nb₂O₅-Based Photocatalysts

Photocatalysis is one potential solution to the energy and environmental crisis and greatly relies on the development of the catalysts. Niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅), a typically nontoxic metal oxide, is eco-friendly and exhibits strong oxidation ability, and has attracted considerable attention from researchers. Furthermore, unique Lewis acid sites (LASs) and Brønsted acid sites (BASs) are observed on Nb₂O₅ prepared by different methods. Herein, the recent advances in the synthesis and application of Nb₂O₅-based photocatalysts, including the pure Nb₂O₅, doped Nb₂O₅, metal species supported on Nb₂O₅, and other composited Nb₂O₅ catalysts, are summarized. An overview is provided for the role of size and crystalline phase, unsaturated Nb sites and oxygen vacancies, LASs and BASs, dopants and surface metal species, and heterojunction structure on the Nb₂O₅-based catalysts in photocatalysis. Finally, the challenges are also presented, which are possibly overcome by integrating the synthetic methodology, developing novel photoelectric characterization techniques, and a profound understanding of the local structure of Nb₂O₅.