Band gap modulation of tantalum(V) perovskite semiconductors by anion control

Abstract

Band gap magnitudes and valence band energies of Ta5+ containing simple perovskites (BaTaO2N, SrTaO2N, CaTaO2N, KTaO3, NaTaO3, and TaO2F) were studied by diffuse reflection absorbance measurements, density-functional theoretical calculations, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. As a universal trend, the oxynitrides have wider valence bands and narrower band gaps than isostructural oxides, owing to the N 2p contribution to the electronic structure. Visible light-driven water splitting was achieved by using Pt-loaded CaTaO2N, together with a sacrificial agent CH3OH.