Photosensitisation of Novel Ag2CO3/Nb2O5 Photocatalyst for EDCs removal in wastewater

Ag-based semiconductor materials are currently catching the interest and research efforts of numerous material researchers due to their wide range of applications. This study aimed to examine the effect of incorporation of niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) to the structural and morphological properties of silver carbonate (Ag2CO3), as well as the photocatalytic performance of the materials on EDCs, such as Bisphenol A (BPA). The preparation and evaluation on Ag2CO3, Nb2O5, and Ag2CO3/Nb2O5 composite were discussed in detailed. Ag2CO3, Nb2O5, and Ag2CO3/Nb2O5 composite were synthesized by facile precipitation method at room temperature and were characterised by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Field Emission Electron Microscopy (FESEM) for its structural and morphological properties. FTIR analysis revealed the emergence of CO32-, C–O and Nb=O groups, as well as the development of bridging Nb–O–Nb in the composite structure. Morphological analysis revealed that Nb2O5 were irregular spherical-shaped and were evenly dispersed on the surface of irregular short rod structure of Ag2CO3. Moreover, this study provides a profound understanding towards the coupling system of Ag2CO3/Nb2O5 heterojunction. Lastly, the Ag2CO3/Nb2O5 composites has the potential to be directly and continuously applicable in a real-life event of industrial wastewater treatment on plastic manufacturing and epoxy resin industry.