Modified Electronic Structure of Ta2O5 Via Surface Decorated with Ta3B2 Nanodots for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract Metallic-semiconducting Ta3B2@Ta2O5 heterostructure with enhanced photocatalytic activity have been prepared by in-situ solid state reaction, using Ta2O5 and NaBH4 powders. As-prepared Ta3B2@Ta2O5 products were characterized by XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, EDS, XPS and UV-vis absorption. The results showed that (210) crystal surface of Ta3B2 have tightly combined with (001) crystal surface of Ta2O5 to form a core-hell heterostructure. From the photocatalytic activity test, there is about 80 % of methylene blue (MB) being photodegraded in 180 min over Ta3B2@Ta2O5, which is about two times higher than that of pure Ta2O5 commercial powder ∼ 38%. It is worthy pointing out that the enhanced photocatalytic activities originate from the metallic layer of interface and Ta3B2 nanodots. This special construction could accelerate electron mobility, increase visible light harvesting and enhance electron-hole separation ratio. Therefore, the Ta3B2@Ta2O5 heterostructure as a promising photocatalyst should have potential applications in removal of environmental pollution.