Photocatalytic hydrogen production of Ta3N5 nanoparticles prepared at different nitridation temperatures

In the present study, the effects of nitridation temperatures on the properties and photocatalytic activities of tantalum (V) nitride nanoparticles (Ta3N5) were investigated. The Ta3N5 nanoparticles were successfully prepared at various nitridation temperatures (973 - 123 K) by using mesoporous carbon nitride (mp-C3N4) as a template. It was confirmed that all the prepared Ta3N5 nanoparticles showed high crystallinity and low density of tantalum defect species. The higher synthesis temperature led to the larger particle size and the lower specific surface area. These different properties affected the performance of the Ta3N5 nanoparticles on the photocatalytic hydrogen production. It was concluded that the Ta3N5 nanoparticles prepared at lower temperature showed higher photocatalytic activity due to the lower particle size and higher specific surface area. The prepared Ta3N5 nanoparticles also showed high photocatalytic stability for hydrogen production under visible light irradiation.