The electronic behaviors of visible light sensitive Nb2O5/Cr2O3/carbon clusters composite materials

Nano-sized Nb2O5/Cr2O3/carbon clusters composite material has been successfully obtained by the calcination of a Nb(HC2O4)5/CrCl3/starch complex under an argon atmosphere. The compositions of the resulting composite materials were determined using ICP, elemental analysis and surface characterization by XRD and TEM. The UV–VIS and XPS spectra of the composites were also obtained. ESR spectral examinations suggest the possibility of an electron transfer in the process of Nb2O5 → carbon clusters → Cr2O3. The reduction reaction of methylene blue with the resulting composite material has also been examined.