Investigation on photocatalytic potential of Au-Ta sub(2)O sub(5) semiconductor nanoparticle by degrading Methyl Orange in aqueous solution by illuminating with visible light

• Published in: Catalysis science & technology Vol. 2; no. 12; pp. 2502 - 2507
• Main Authors: Anandan, Sambandam, Pugazhenthiran, Nalenthiran, Selvamani, Thangavel, Hsieh, Shu-Han, Lee, Gang-Juan, Wu, Jerry J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.11.2012
• Subjects: Degradation; Gold; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Photocatalysis; Semiconductors; Wastewater treatment; X-rays
• ISSN: 2044-4753; 2044-4761
• DOI: 10.1039/c2cy20393f

A semiconductor photocatalytic process has shown great potential as a low cost, environmentally friendly and sustainable treatment technology for the treatment of wastewater. Hence, a wide band gap Ta sub(2)O sub(5) semiconductor nanoparticle was prepared by the hydrothermal method and considerable efforts have been taken to narrow the band gap, i.e., the surface modification has been done with a noble metal (Au super(0)) by a deposition precipitation method. As synthesized, Au-Ta sub(2)O sub(5) semiconductor was well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and diffused reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy (DRS). The photocatalytic potential of Au-Ta sub(2)O sub(5) semiconductor was investigated by degrading Methyl Orange in the presence and absence of electron acceptors by illuminating with visible light of intensity 80 600 plus or minus 10 Lux.