Russian scientists create light-activated material for clean water | TV BRICS, 07.10.26

Russian scientists study materials for purifying water using light

The addition of niobium oxide improves light absorption but does not accelerate the breakdown of pollutants

Scientists have investigated materials that break down pollutants in water when exposed to light. Such materials are known as photocatalysts: they absorb light and trigger reactions that break down pollutant molecules. This approach is considered promising for wastewater treatment. The research was carried out by staff at the G. A. Krestov Institute of Solution Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), according to the Ministry of Education and Science’s website.

The research involved composites based on strontium titanate with additives of niobium oxide. In laboratory experiments, the scientists used solutions of the dye rhodamine B and the antibiotic tetracycline. The samples were irradiated with visible light. For the composite containing 1 per cent niobium oxide, the tetracycline signal disappeared after 30 minutes. With a 10 per cent addition, this took 40 minutes. For pure strontium titanate, it took 20 minutes.

It turned out that adding niobium oxide improves light absorption but does not increase the material’s activity. The reason lies in the reduction in specific surface area. This reduces the number of sites where reactions with pollutants can take place.

The results show that when developing materials for water purification, it is important to consider not only light absorption but also surface structure. The authors emphasise that these findings apply to laboratory conditions. The disappearance of the antibiotic signal indicates its transformation but does not prove the complete breakdown of all products or the safety of the water.