The ability of Nb2O5 and Ta2O5 to generate active oxygen in contact with hydrogen peroxide

Amorphous and crystalline niobium(V) and tantalum(V) oxides were treated with hydrogen peroxide and studied by XRD, UV–vis, FTIR and ESR techniques to identify changes on their surface upon interaction with hydrogen peroxide. Differences between amorphous and crystalline materials in the interaction with H₂O₂ depending on the hydroxylation of the surface and the nature of OH groups were evident. The type of radical species formed on hydroxylated amorphous materials treated with H₂O₂ depended on the nature of metal oxide. It was proved that peroxo radical species formed in the interaction of H₂O₂ with amorphous Nb₂O₅ were the active intermediates in the oxidation of glycerol to glycolic acid with hydrogen peroxide. The radicals formed on amorphous Ta₂O₅ surface treated with hydrogen peroxide were poorly active in the oxidation of glycerol. Detailed study of the above mentioned radicals is in progress and will be a subject of a separate paper.