Rate of Ag photodeposition on Sr-doped NaTaO3 photocatalysts as controlled by doping sites

Abstract

In this study, the photodepostion of metallic silver was examined by immersing strontium-doped sodium tantalate photocatalysts in aqueous AgNO3 solution. When Ta5+ was doped with Sr2+ through a solid-state reaction, the observed photodeposition rate was enhanced by five times relative to that exhibited by undoped NaTaO3. This ehancement was possibly due to restricted electron-hole recombination caused by the doping. On the other hand, when Na+ was doped with Sr2+ through a hydrothermal reaction, only slight enhancement in the photodepositon rate was observed.