Solvothermal synthesis and photocatalytic activities of cubic potassium tantalite and cuprum doped potassium tantalite

Abstract KTaO3 and Cu2+ doped KTaO3 were prepared by a solvothermal process. The measurements of XRD, FTIR, XPS, SEM, BET specific surface area, DRS, photoluminescence, photocurrent and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were carried out to investigate their physical and chemical properties. Especially, the photocatalytic activities of them were revealed by the photocatalysis of MB with irradiation of light in UV-Vis region. The measurements indicate that the Cu2+ doping does not obviously influence the phase and microstructure of KTaO3, but highly changes the optical and electrochemical properties. Cu2+ doped KTaO3 shows higher photocatalytic activity than KTaO3 in the degradation of methylene blue with irradiation of light in UV-Vis region, which results from the enhanced light absorbance, more efficient transfers and separation of photogenerated charge carriers.