Synthesis of tantalum oxynitride with enhanced visible light efficiency in photoreduction of carbon dioxide

Abstract

The tantalum oxynitride (TaON) content in preparation process was increased with the melamine and tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) mass ratios. The Ta2O5 nitridation by melamine (C3H6N6) was occured in at 850 °C for 4 hours with various melamine and tantalum pentoxide mass ratios under a nitrogen gas flow. The photocatalytic performance of prepared samples was evaluated by the photoreduction of carbon dioxide into renewable fuel under visible light irradiation. Results show that the obtained photocatalysts exhibited a significant enhanced photocatalytic activity in comparison with pure Ta2O5. This work may be useful for a facile way to synthesize the highly efficient photocatalyst for application in energy conversion.