Preparation and photocatalytic activity for water splitting of Pt-Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube arrays

Journal Article · Fri Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2013 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2012.10.005· OSTI ID:22150017

Liu, Jing ^[1]; Liu, Jiawen ^[1]; Li, Zhonghua ^[2]

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1. Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025 (China)
2. Key Laboratory of Microsystems and Microstructures Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China)

Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube arrays were prepared by hydrothermal method from Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanotube arrays, obtained by anodization of Ta foils, in Na{sub 2}CO{sub 3} solution at 150 Degree-Sign C. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Analysis results show that pyrochlore structure Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube arrays have been successfully fabricated. The diameters and lengths of Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube arrays are 50 nm and 4 {mu}m, respectively. The photocatalytic hydrogen production activities of the as-synthesized Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube arrays are highly dependent on the hydrothermal reaction time and Na{sub 2}CO{sub 3} concentration, optimized reaction parameters are obtained. To further improve the photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution, Pt loaded Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube arrays are prepared by photochemical reduction method. The Pt loaded samples exhibit much higher activity for hydrogen evolution than pure Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube arrays. Moreover, the photocatalytic hydrogen properties are rather stable. - Graphical abstract: Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube arrays were synthesized by hydrothermal method using Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} nanotube arrays as a precursor. The loaded Pt enhances the photocatalytic activity for water splitting of Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube arrays. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Novel Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube array films with pyrochlore structure were synthesized. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube arrays are active for H{sub 2} evolution from aqueous CH{sub 3}OH solution. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The effect of hydrothermal conditions on photocatalytic activity was investigated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Pt loading can improve the photocatalytic activities of Na{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} nanotube arrays. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Photocatalytic mechanism is proposed based on the experimental results.

• OSTI ID: 22150017
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 198; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ANODIZATION
HYDROGEN
HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS
METHANOL
NANOTUBES
PHOTOCATALYSIS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SODIUM CARBONATES
TANTALUM OXIDES
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY