Antimony oxide hydrate (Sb2O5·3H2O) as a simple and high efficient photocatalyst for oxidation of benzene

The development of high efficient and inexpensive photocatalyst for oxidation of indoor gaseous benzene is a big challenge. In this paper, a simple compound containing only one metal element named antimony oxide hydrate (Sb2O5·3H2O) is prepared by a facile hydrolysis–oxidation method. The photocatalytic activity for oxidation of benzene over Sb2O5·3H2O is investigated for the first time. The conversion ratio and mineralization of benzene are 35.0% and 55% over Sb2O5·3H2O, which are 3.5 and 5.5 times higher than that of P25. Reactive oxygen species, including O2− and OH, are detected by ESR experiments. The large amount of O2− and long lived OH over antimony oxide hydrate is the main reason for its good photocatalytic activity, and it is also proved that both O2− and OH are mainly origin from oxygen reduction. We believe that this energy saving, inexpensive and high efficient photocatalyst has potential industrial application value.