Photodegradation of binbo ₄ powder during photocatalytic reactions

BiNbO ₄ powders prepared by solid state reaction were tested for photocatalytic activity in methanol solutions under UV irradiation. When the material is tested without the presence of a Pt cocatalyst, photocatalytic activity for H ₂ evolution is superior to that of TiO ₂. It was also found that BiNbO ₄ photodegrades into metallic Bi and reduced Nb oxides after use; materials were characterized by SEM, XRD, and XPS. Adding Pt to the surface of the photocatalyst increases photocatalytic activity and importantly, helps to prevent photodegradation of the oxide material. With 1 wt % Pt loading, photodegradation is essentially absent.