Synthesis of K3Ta3B2O12 photocatalytic material by aqueous solution-based process using a novel water soluble tantalum complex

Abstract

The K3Ta3B2O12 photocatalytic material for water splitting was prepared by an aqueous solution-based process using a novel water soluble Ta-peroxolactate complex. Use of water as a processing solvent is essential to prevent formation of volatile boron compounds and to synthesize the stoichiometric single phase material by a solution technique. Photocatalytic activity of K3Ta3B 2O12 for water splitting was the highest when a stoichiometric amount of lactic acid (LA) with Ta:La = 1:2 was used for preparation of the Ta-peroxo lactate complex. Additionally, activities of K 3Ta3B2O12 in the photocatalytic water splitting have been improved when NiO was used as a co-catalyst. The highest photocatalytic hydrogen and oxygen evolution rates exhibited by the materials prepared in this work were H2: 392 μ mol/h and O 2: 192 μ mol/h. © 2009 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.