article · Journal of Materials Science
This research evaluates the photocatalytic capabilities of a high-entropy alloy and its oxide counterpart. A high-entropy alloy composed of niobium, tantalum, zirconium, molybdenum, and tungsten was produced using mechanical alloying for 120 hours in an argon environment to stop oxidation. A portion of this alloy was then converted into a high-entropy oxide using thermal oxidation at 900 degrees Celsius for 12 hours. Both materials underwent structural and surface characterisation, including electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, surface area analysis, and stability testing in water. Photocatalytic performance was measured by testing the breakdown of methyl blue dye under ultraviolet irradiation. The non-oxidised high-entropy alloy achieved approximately 58.77 per cent photodegradation, demonstrating twice the activity of the oxide form.
Finding efficient materials to break down pollutants using light is essential for developing improved water treatment systems. This study demonstrates that complex metal alloys can outperform their oxidised counterparts in degrading chemical dyes under ultraviolet exposure, offering a new direction for catalyst development.
The findings suggest potential applications in industrial wastewater treatment and dye degradation for environmental remediation specialists. However, the work represents early-stage laboratory research focused on breaking down methyl blue in controlled tests, and further development is necessary before practical water treatment applications can be realised.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Abstract The photocatalytic performance of high entropy alloy (HEA) and its oxide form (high entropy oxide, HEO) have been evaluated in this study. The HEA, composed of Nb, Ta, Zr, Mo, and W powders, was synthesized through a mechanical alloying process for 120 h. This process was carried out under a high-purity Ar atmosphere to prevent oxidation. Subsequently, the HEA was converted into HEO via a mechano-thermal oxidation method 900 °C for 12 h. The photocatalytic activity of both oxidized and non-oxidized samples was systematically evaluated by degradation of methyl blue (MB) under UV irradiation. Electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate the structural and chemical features of the alloys. Furthermore, BET surface area analysis and Zeta potential measurements were conducted to understand the alloys’ surface properties and stability in aqueous solutions. The results showed that the HEA has a remarkable photodegradation performance of around 58.77% which is two times higher than that observed with the HEO. Graphical abstract
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1007/s10853-024-09871-3
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
