Preparation of nitrogen doped K(2)Nb(4)O(11) with high photocatalytic activity for degradation of organic pollutants

Nitrogen doped K(2)Nb(4)O(11) (K(2)Nb(4)O(11)-N) has been prepared by solid state reaction between K(2)Nb(4)O(11) and urea at 400 degrees C. K(2)Nb(4)O(11)-N has been characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS and UV/vis diffuse reflectance. The photodegradation of various organic pollutants in water by this material, including Orange G (OG), bisphenol A (BPA) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) have been studied at lambda >330 nm and >399 nm. The results show that the photocatalytic activity of K(2)Nb(4)O(11)-N at >399 nm is higher than those of K(2)Nb(4)O(11) and Degussa TiO(2) P25, indicating the activating effect of nitrogen doping. A mechanism for the photodegradation of organic substrates by K(2)Nb(4)O(11)-N is proposed. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V