The photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties of tantalum oxide and tantalum nitride

The surfactant-assisted synthesis of tantalum oxide nanoparticles (Ta₂O₅), its subsequent nitridation to form tantalum nitride (Ta₃N₅), and the evaluation of the photoactivity of these nanoparticles, are presented. The surface, optical, and compositional characterization of the in-house synthesized photocatalysts indicate spherical nanoparticles with φ = 30 nm Ta₂O₅ and φ = 30 nm Ta₃N₅ with the latter photocatalysts showing absorbance onset at ∼ 630 nm. Photoelectrochemical analysis of the various photocatalyst films using chronoamperometry, linear sweep voltammetry, and impedance measurements attribute an improved photoactivity with the in-house catalysts to better charge generation, transport, and utilization. Initial results using Ta₂O₅ and Ta₃N₅ demonstrate photocatalytic activity toward conversion of colored pollutants. © The Author(s) 2019.