Activated‐Carbon‐Templated Crystalline Tantalates for Photocatalytic Water Splitting. Issue 4 (1st March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grewe, Tobias; Tüysüz, Harun
• Is Part Of: ChemNanoMat. Volume 2:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 273
• Page End: 280
• Publication Date: 2016-03-01
• Subjects: nanocasting -- mesoporous materials -- photocatalysis -- tantalum -- water splitting; Nanochemistry -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Nanochemistry; Nanostructured materials; Periodicals; 541.2
• DOI: 10.1002/cnma.201600033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2199-692X

Abstract

Abstract: Herein, we report a facile nanocasting route for the preparation of crystalline mesoporous Ta2 O5 and NaTaO3 with a high surface area using activated carbon as the structure‐directing hard template. The crystalline particles of Ta2 O5 and NaTaO3 have mean sizes of 6 and 9 nm, constructing mesoporous networks with surface areas of 91 and 75 m 2 g −1, respectively. The photocatalytic performances of the tantalum‐based replicas were investigated for the water splitting reaction by using methanol as sacrificial agent and better photocatalytic performances were observed in comparison with bulk and amorphous counterparts. Loading the templated Ta2 O5 and NaTaO3 with 1 wt % NiO x boosted their photocatalytic activity. The most‐active sample, NaTaO3 /NiO x, was also tested for overall water splitting and it produced hydrogen and oxygen in stoichiometric ratios at rates of 129 and 66 μmol h −1, respectively. Abstract : Mesoporous Ta2 O5 and NaTaO3 were successfully synthesized via hard templating, exhibiting porous networks with high surface areas that consist of sintered crystalline nanoparticles. These material properties contribute strongly to the high photocatalytic activity of the mesoporous tantalates towards water splitting.