SURFACE-ACIDITY AND PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF NB2O5/TIO2 PHOTOCATALYSTS

Samples of Nb2O5/TiO2 mixed oxide powders were prepared by the incipient wetness method. The photocatalytic activities of TiO2 based catalysts were evaluated by the degradation of 1,4-dichlorobenzene (DCB). The addition of Nb2O5 to TiO2 greatly increased its photocatalytic activity and also increased the catalyst's surface acidity, as determined by the n-butylamine titration method. A correlation between the maximum photocatalytic activity and the number and strength of acid sites were observed. Consequently, the same structural feature that enhances the adsorption of n-butylamine appears to promote the catalytic activity. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.