Binary and Ternary Vanadium Oxides: General Overview, Physical Properties, and Photochemical Processes for Environmental Applications

Abstract

This review article is a comprehensive report on vanadium oxides which are interesting materials for environmental applications. Therefore, a general overview of vanadium and its related oxides are presented in the first two parts. Afterwards, the physical properties of binary and ternary vanadium oxides in single and mixed valence states are described such as their structural, optical, and electronic properties. Finally, the use of these vanadium oxides in photochemical processes for environmental applications is detailed, especially for the production of hydrogen by water splitting and the degradation of organic pollutants in water using photocatalytic and photo-Fenton processes. The scientific aim of such a review is to bring a comprehensive tool to understand the photochemical processes triggered by vanadium oxide based materials where the photo-induced properties are thoroughly discussed based on the detailed description of their intrinsic properties.

Analysis of Hydrometallurgical Methods for Obtaining Vanadium Concentrates from the Waste by Chemical Production of Vanadium Pentoxide

“…In the chemical industry, vanadium compounds are used as catalysts [ 8 ]. Additionally, materials based on vanadium oxides (V 2 O 3 , VO 2 and V 2 O 5 ) are used in memristors (resistors with memory), bolometers (thermal infrared detectors), biosensors [ 9 , 10 ]. The application of vanadium in medicine for the manufacture of dental implants is described in [ 11 ].…”

Photocatalytic Processes for Environmental Applications

“…Photocatalysis, especially heterogeneous photocatalysis, is one of the most investigated processes for environmental remediation. Indeed, the use of solar light, which is an infinite source of energy, to activate photocatalysts is a sustainable technology [1]. The conversion of solar light into chemical energy via a heterogeneous photocatalyst is a powerful tool to decontaminate the natural environment (water, air, and soil), but also to produce green energy such as hydrogen, which is considered as the most promising alternative to fossil energy [1].…”

“…Indeed, the use of solar light, which is an infinite source of energy, to activate photocatalysts is a sustainable technology [1]. The conversion of solar light into chemical energy via a heterogeneous photocatalyst is a powerful tool to decontaminate the natural environment (water, air, and soil), but also to produce green energy such as hydrogen, which is considered as the most promising alternative to fossil energy [1]. Beside photocatalysis, other photochemical processes can be used for environmental applications, including the photo-Fenton process and photolysis.…”

“…On the other hand, as UVA light represents only 5% of the solar spectrum, intense research is also focused on visible light-driven photocatalysts like, for example, vanadiumand iron-based oxides (V 2 O 5 , BiVO 4 , Fe 2 O 3 , CoFe 2 O 4 , and so on), as well as metal sulfides (CdS, ZnS, CuS, and so on) [1,3,4]. Some of these materials are ternary oxides.…”

“…Some of these materials are ternary oxides. Indeed, it helps to tune the energy bandgap, which is an essential feature in heterogeneous photocatalysis [1]. In addition, another important physical factor that should be considered in heterogeneous photocatalysis is the morphology of materials.…”