Um novo material à base de nióbia (Nb2O5) foi sintetizado e quimicamente modificado para oxidar compostos orgânicos em meio aquoso, na presença de H2O2. A nióbia foi modificada por dopagem com tungstênio e também tratamento com H2O2 com o intuito de potencializar suas propriedades oxidativas. A investigação dos produtos gerados pela oxidação do azul de metileno, usando a técnica de espectroscopia de massas com ionização por eletrospray (ESI-MS), mostrou que o corante foi sucessivamente oxidado produzindo diferentes compostos intermediários. A sucessiva hidroxilação durante o processo oxidativo indica a alta reatividade dos radicais hidroxilas que são gerados, envolvendo H2O2 sobre a superfície do grão de nióbia dopada com W. Estes resultados sugerem fortemente que o H2O2 pode regenerar in situ o grupo peróxido, permanecendo ativo no sistema.

A novel material based on niobia (Nb2O5) was synthesized to oxidize an organic compound in aqueous medium in the presence of H2O2 after chemical modifications. Niobia was modified by doping with tungsten and also treating with H2O2 in order to maximize the oxidative properties of this oxide. The analysis of the products from methylene blue dye oxidation with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) showed that the dye was successively oxidized to different intermediate compounds. The successive hydroxylation during this oxidation strongly suggests that highly reactive hydroxyl radicals are generated involving H2O2 on the W-doped niobia grain surface. These results strongly suggest that the H2O2 can regenerate in situ the peroxo group remaining active the system.

Currently, public policy has encouraged innovation in universities and also transference of technology to the industry. Another important stage to be considered would be the registration or filing of a patent and the economical viability study. Government programs, such as the innovation incentive program, among others, should facilitate popularization and promote interest by industry. In this work we described the steps, from the conception of the idea to the scale up going through its interest by the industry. The case study is about the glycerol conversion utilizing modified niobia as catalysts.