# Visible Light Photocatalytic Properties of Ta and N Codoped SrTiO3 Nanoparticles

Authors: Uyi Sulaeman; Shu Yin; Tsugio Sato
Journal: International Journal of Optics
 (2010)

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## Abstract

Ta and N co-doped SrTiO3 was synthesized by microwave-assisted solvothermal reaction using SrCl2·6H2O, Ti(OC3H7)4, TaCl5, and HMT (hexamethylenetetramine) in KOH and oleic acid mixed solutions. The products were characterized by XRD, TG-DTA, BET surface area measurement, TEM, EDX, DRS, PL-Spectra, and XPS. The nanoparticles of perovskite-type SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy (x=0−0.1) were successfully synthesized. The photocatalytic activity of SrTiO3 for DeNOxability in the visible light region could be improved by the codoping of Ta5+ and N3-. The excellent visible light photocatalytic activity of this substance may be due to the generation of a new band gap by doping nitrogen that enables the absorption of visible light as well as a decrease in the incidence of the lattice defects, which acts as a recombination center of photo-induced electrons and holes by codoping with Ta5+.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Photocatalytic reaction using strontium titanate as an efficient photocatalyst is widely considered as an emerging technology for solving environmental problems to degrade organic contaminants [1, 2] and for water splitting to produce hydrogen as a renewable energy. However, the lack of visible light photocatalytic activity of SrTiO3 due to wide band gap semiconductors is a problem in solar energy utilization. Therefore, a great effort has been put towards extending their absorption and conversion capacities into the visible range [3]. Recently, it was discovered that doping with an anion such as N into SrTiO3 leads to an extension of the optical absorption to the visible light region [4, 5].Nitrogen doping to titania photocatalyst has been proven to be an effective method for extending the photoactive region to visible light range via narrowing the band gap. This is because the visible light sensitivity is originated from the isolated narrow band derived from the dopant anion p-orbital [6]. However, nitrogen doping to substitute oxygen in a photocatalyst will lead to the formation of lattice defects for charge compensation which act as recombination centers of photo-induced electrons and holes. To decrease the incidence of the lattice defect, we designed codoping of a metal ion and nitrogen into SrTiO3. Previous work had also shown that lanthanum and nitrogen codoped SrTiO3 could enhance the photocatalytic ability in visible light [7].To improve the ability of photocatalytic activity, codoping with higher valence metal ion (Ta5+) to the Ti4+ site in nitrogen doped SrTiO3 may have great potential to reduce the incidence of the lattice defect and suppress the electron-hole recombination. It is well known that Ta5+ can substitute Ti4+ in SrTiO3 without large lattice strain because of the similar ionic radius. Therefore, it is expected that codoping of Ta5+ and N3- in SrTiO3 may decrease the band gap energy without forming a lattice defect or lattice strain, consequently leading to generating high visible light photocatalytic activity. In this paper, we report the enhancement of visible light sensitivity in Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 synthesized by microwave-assisted solvothermal reactions at 200°C.Solvothermal synthesis is one of the simple methods to prepare fine particles with high crystallinity and a large specific surface area. In principle, the smaller the size, the higher the activity of the photocatalyst. However, a catalyst with a smaller dimension always accompanies a stronger tendency of aggregation, coupled with tremendous difficulties in separation, recovery, and recycling in industrial applications [8]. Therefore, modification of the preparation method is a great strategy to produce high quality crystals. In this paper, we report the synthesis of Ta and N codoped SrTIO3 in a KOH methanol solution with the addition of oleic acid. Oleic acid is the surfactant which can be used to prepare nanocrystals with excellent particle size distribution [9]. Photodegradation of NOx was employed to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of the Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 with different Ta contents under LED illumination (λ=390 nm, 445 nm, 530 nm, and 627 nm). It was demonstrated that these samples exhibited excellent visible light photocatalytic activities. The experimental results showed that a small concentration of Ta doping greatly improved the photocatalytic activity of N doped SrTiO3.


## 2. Experimental

### 2.1. Synthesis

The Ta and N codoped SrTiO3, SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy, with x=0, 0.02, 0.05, and 0.1 were synthesized by a solvothermal method. Titanium tetraisopropoxide, Ti(OC3H7)4, and TaCl5 were dissolved in 2-propanol and ethanol, respectively. After mixing these solutions, SrCl2·6H2O was dissolved into the mixed-solution under vigorous stirring, followed by adding the mixed solution of 10 mL of 2 M KOH methanol solution, 1 mL of oleic acid, 1 mL of water, and 5 g of HMT (hexamethylentetramine). After that, the mixed solution was transferred to a Teflon reaction vessel with 70 cm3 of internal volume and irradiated by microwaves to start the solvothermal reaction at 200°C for 3 h using a microwave reaction apparatus (Figure 1). The microwave reaction system was operated at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and a power of 900 W (90% of full power). After cooling, the powder product was separated by centrifugation, washed with distilled water and acetone three times, respectively, dried in a vacuum at 60°C overnight, and then calcined at 300°C in air for 1 h.Figure 1
Microwave-assisted solvothermal reaction apparatus (a) Teflon reaction vessel, (b) microwave reaction apparatus (ACTAC Co., MWS-2).


### 2.2. Characterization

The powder product was characterized by TG-DTA (Rigaku Thermo Plus TG-8120) and XRD (Shimadzu XD-D1) using graphite-monochromized CuKα radiation. The lattice constant was determined using Si as an internal standard. Microstructures were observed by a transmission electron micrograph (TEM, JEOL JEM-2010). The chemical compositions were analyzed by EDX (Shimadzu, EDX-800HS). The specific surface areas were determined by the nitrogen adsorption at 77 K (BET, Quantachrome NOVA 4200e). The absorption edges and band gap energies of the products were determined from the onsets of diffuse reflectance spectra of the samples measured using a UV-vis spectrophotometer (Shimadzu UV-2000). The PL spectra were analyzed by spectrofluorophotometer (Shimadzu, RF-5300PC). The binding energies of doped ions were analyzed at room temperature by an X-ray electron spectrometer (Perkin-Elmer PHI5600).


### 2.3. Photocatalytic Activity Evaluation

Photocatalytic activity for the oxidative destruction of nitrogen monoxide was determined using a flow-type reactor, as shown in Figure2, by measuring the concentration of NO gas at the outlet of the reactor (373 cm3) during photoirradiation on a constant flow of 1 ppm NO-50 vol.% air (balanced N2) mixed gas (200 cm3 min-1) [10]. The photocatalyst sample was placed in a hollow of 20 mm in length, 16 mm in width, and 0.5 mm in depth on a glass holder plate and set in the bottom center of the reactor. Photocatalytic activities were determined using different wavelengths of LED lamps of 390 nm (UV LED), 445 nm (blue LED), 530 nm (green LED), and 627 nm (red LED) at the same light irradiation intensity of 2 mW/m2 by controlling the distance between the lamps and samples. The concentration of NOx was determined using an NOx analyzer (Yanaco, ECL-88A).Figure 2
Photocatalytic reaction apparatus, A: LED lamp (λ=627,530,445, and 390 nm), B: glass holder, C: catalyst (20 × 16 × 0.5 mm), D: colorless and transparent quartz cover, E: sealed opaque reactor (plastic, 373 cm3), F: 2 ppm standard NO gas (flow rate: 100 mL/min), G: dried air (flow rate: 100 mL/min), H: gas mixer, I, J, K: three-way cock, L: NOx analyzer (Yanaco, ECL-88A).


## 2.1. Synthesis

The Ta and N codoped SrTiO3, SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy, with x=0, 0.02, 0.05, and 0.1 were synthesized by a solvothermal method. Titanium tetraisopropoxide, Ti(OC3H7)4, and TaCl5 were dissolved in 2-propanol and ethanol, respectively. After mixing these solutions, SrCl2·6H2O was dissolved into the mixed-solution under vigorous stirring, followed by adding the mixed solution of 10 mL of 2 M KOH methanol solution, 1 mL of oleic acid, 1 mL of water, and 5 g of HMT (hexamethylentetramine). After that, the mixed solution was transferred to a Teflon reaction vessel with 70 cm3 of internal volume and irradiated by microwaves to start the solvothermal reaction at 200°C for 3 h using a microwave reaction apparatus (Figure 1). The microwave reaction system was operated at a frequency of 2.45 GHz and a power of 900 W (90% of full power). After cooling, the powder product was separated by centrifugation, washed with distilled water and acetone three times, respectively, dried in a vacuum at 60°C overnight, and then calcined at 300°C in air for 1 h.Figure 1
Microwave-assisted solvothermal reaction apparatus (a) Teflon reaction vessel, (b) microwave reaction apparatus (ACTAC Co., MWS-2).


## 2.2. Characterization

The powder product was characterized by TG-DTA (Rigaku Thermo Plus TG-8120) and XRD (Shimadzu XD-D1) using graphite-monochromized CuKα radiation. The lattice constant was determined using Si as an internal standard. Microstructures were observed by a transmission electron micrograph (TEM, JEOL JEM-2010). The chemical compositions were analyzed by EDX (Shimadzu, EDX-800HS). The specific surface areas were determined by the nitrogen adsorption at 77 K (BET, Quantachrome NOVA 4200e). The absorption edges and band gap energies of the products were determined from the onsets of diffuse reflectance spectra of the samples measured using a UV-vis spectrophotometer (Shimadzu UV-2000). The PL spectra were analyzed by spectrofluorophotometer (Shimadzu, RF-5300PC). The binding energies of doped ions were analyzed at room temperature by an X-ray electron spectrometer (Perkin-Elmer PHI5600).


## 2.3. Photocatalytic Activity Evaluation

Photocatalytic activity for the oxidative destruction of nitrogen monoxide was determined using a flow-type reactor, as shown in Figure2, by measuring the concentration of NO gas at the outlet of the reactor (373 cm3) during photoirradiation on a constant flow of 1 ppm NO-50 vol.% air (balanced N2) mixed gas (200 cm3 min-1) [10]. The photocatalyst sample was placed in a hollow of 20 mm in length, 16 mm in width, and 0.5 mm in depth on a glass holder plate and set in the bottom center of the reactor. Photocatalytic activities were determined using different wavelengths of LED lamps of 390 nm (UV LED), 445 nm (blue LED), 530 nm (green LED), and 627 nm (red LED) at the same light irradiation intensity of 2 mW/m2 by controlling the distance between the lamps and samples. The concentration of NOx was determined using an NOx analyzer (Yanaco, ECL-88A).Figure 2
Photocatalytic reaction apparatus, A: LED lamp (λ=627,530,445, and 390 nm), B: glass holder, C: catalyst (20 × 16 × 0.5 mm), D: colorless and transparent quartz cover, E: sealed opaque reactor (plastic, 373 cm3), F: 2 ppm standard NO gas (flow rate: 100 mL/min), G: dried air (flow rate: 100 mL/min), H: gas mixer, I, J, K: three-way cock, L: NOx analyzer (Yanaco, ECL-88A).


## 3. Results and Discussion

### 3.1. Structure, Phase, and Morphology of Catalyst

The XRD patterns of the powders obtained in the KOH and oleic acid mixed methanol solution followed by calcinations at 300°C in air for 1 h are shown in Figure3. All diffraction peaks can be assigned to the perovskite-type structure having cubic symmetry according to JCPDS no.79-0176. It can be seen that the lattice constant slightly increased by an increase in the Ta content, indicating that Ta5+ was incorporated into the Ti4+ site of SrTiO3, since the ionic radius of six coordinated Ta5+ (0.064 nm) is larger than that of Ti4+ (0.0605 nm) but much smaller than that of Sr2+ (0.118 nm).XRD patterns (a) and lattice constant (b) of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy.
(a)(b)Figure4 shows the TG-DTA profiles of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 (x=0.05). The sample showed three steps of weight losses. The first step of weight loss of ca. 2.4% up to 200°C may be due to the evaporation of adsorbed water and methanol. The second step weight loss around 10.3% up to 700°C may be due to the decomposition of organics. The exothermic peak around 287.4°C may be attributed to the oxidation of organics adsorbed on the catalyst. The third step of weight loss around 12.7% up to 1000°C may be due to the elimination of other more stable elements such as OH-, N3-, and carbon doped in the lattice of the perovskite structure.Figure 4
TG-DTA profiles of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy (x=0.05).The BET-specific surface area, particle size, and Ta/Ti and Ti/Sr atomic ratio determined by EDX analysis of the products are listed in Table1. The particle sizes decreased and the specific surface areas increased with an increase in Ta content. It was found that the Ta/Ti atomic ratios determined were almost identical to those added in the starting solution. However, the atomic ratios of Ti/Sr in the samples of x=0 and 0.02 were lower than the initial ones. This may be due to the experimental error in EDX analysis.Table 1
Specific surface area, particle size, and Ti/Sr and Ta/Ti atomic ratios determined by EDX analysis of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy.
x in the initial solutionParticle size* (nm)S.S.A (m2/g)EDX AnalysisTi/SrTa/Tix=019.651.00.890x=0.0219.655.00.900.016x=0.0518.155.60.920.049x=0.1017.268.90.900.102*determined by Scherrer’s method.The morphologies of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 formed by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method are shown in Figure 5. The average diameter was about 20 nm. This value agrees with the particle sizes calculated by Scherrer’s equation (see Table 1), indicating the particles were single crystals. The crystal size of SrTiO3 slightly decreased with an increase in Ta content. It can also be seen that the agglomeration of the particles was promoted by the decrease in the crystallite size.TEM images of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy, (a) x=0, (b) x=0.05, and (c) x=0.1.
(a)(b)(c)


### 3.2. Diffuse Reflectance and PL Spectra

Figure6 shows the absorption spectra of the samples of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3. All samples showed absorption edges around 380–390 nm corresponding to the band gap energy of SrTiO3 and also have new absorption edges around 400–500 nm. The absorption around 400–500 nm may be attributed to the generation of a new band gap by nitrogen-doping. The absorption in the range of 400–500 nm increased with an increase in Ta content, indicating that the nitrogen doping was improved by codoping with Ta5+.Figure 6
Diffuse reflectance spectra of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy powders (x=0-0.1).Figure7 shows the PL spectra of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 with variation of Ta content. All measurements were carried out at room temperature and the samples were excited by UV light at 254 nm. The samples exhibited peaks at 372, 400, 453, and 470 nm. The 400 nm and 470 nm bands may be attributed to neutral oxygen vacancies which are some intrinsic oxygen deficiencies in the samples [11]. It can be seen that the peak intensity at 372 nm of the sample with high Ta content (x=0.1) increased, although the peak intensity at 470 nm did not change so much. This may be due to the promotion of recombination of photo-induced electrons and holes.Figure 7
PL spectra of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy powders (x=0-0.1).


### 3.3. XPS Analysis

Figure8 shows the XPS spectra of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 after Ar+ sputtering at 3 kV for 3 min. Figure 8(a) shows the Ti3p peak energy, the peaks at 457.2, 457.5, and 457.5 eV are assigned as Ti3p3/2 of x=0, x=0.05, and x=0.1, respectively. Due to the relatively big difference in ionic size between N3- (r=0.171 nm) and O2- (r=0.140 nm), it was very difficult to substitute the oxygen atom by nitrogen atom. The N1s XPS spectra of the samples are shown in Figure 8(b). The peak around 400 eV and 398 eV may be attributed to the NH3 and N2 adsorbed on the surface and doped nitrogen, respectively [12]. The sample with x=0 did not show the N1s peak at 398 eV, indicating a very low concentration of nitrogen doped in the lattice. Since in a previous paper [5], N-doped SrTiO3 prepared without oleic acid showed the peak at 398 eV clearly, the doping of nitrogen may be depressed in the presence of oleic acid. The depression of nitrogen doping with oleic acid may be due to the surface modification of SrTiO3 by chemically adsorbed oleic acid. In contrast, the sample with x=0.05 showed clear peak at 398 eV, indicating that the nitrogen doping was promoted by codoping with Ta5+. This may be due to the decrease of the oxygen vacancy by codoping of N3- and Ta5+ in a perovskite structure. The sample with x=0.1 showed the broad peak of N1s, although it showed the highest absorption in the visible light region as shown in Figure 6. Figure 8(c) shows the Ta4f spectra of the sample (x=0.05 and 0.1). The peaks of Ta4f7/2 at 21.5, 26.6, 25.7 for the Ta metal, Ta2O5 and Ta doped SrTiO3, respectively, were reported by Varhegyi et al. [13]. The peaks at 25.0 eV and 26.9 eV in Figure 8(c) are characterized as Ta4f7/2 and Ta4f5/2, respectively, indicating that the Ta5+ existed in the lattice. The sample with x=0.1 showed the broad peak of Ta4p3/2 [14]. This indicates that an excess amount of Ta5+ doping might create crystal defects and/or lattice strain which may be the reason why this sample showed broad peak of N1s even though the highest nitrogen doping.X-ray photoemission spectra of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy (x=0,0.05,0.1), Ti2p (a), Ta4p (b), and Ta4f (c).
(a)(b)(c)


### 3.4. Photocatalytic Activity

Figure9 shows the photocatalytic activity of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 (x=0-0.2) for the NO elimination under continuous irradiation by monochromatic lights of 390 nm (UV LED), 445 nm (blue LED), 530 nm (green LED), and 627 nm (red LED) in wavelength. As expected, Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 (x=0.02-0.05) showed excellent photocatalytic activity, even under visible light irradiation (λ=530 nm). The photocatalytic activities of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 under visible light irradiation (λ=530 nm) changed with variation of the Ta content, that is, the NOx elimination degree increased by doping with small fraction of Ta (x=0.02-0.05), but decreased by doping with an excess amount of Ta. Excess Ta5+ doping might lead to the formation of cation defect and/or reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ for the charge compensation which acts as a recombination site of photo-induced electrons and holes to decrease the photocatalytic activity [15]. These results agree with the PL measurement shown in Figure 7. For the sample of nitrogen-doped SrTiO3 (x=0), the photocatalytic activity in visible light (λ=530 nm) is higher than that of the standard titania (Degussa P25), although nitrogen doping could not be clearly observed by XPS. The higher activity under irradiation of visible light may be partly contributed by the codoped carbon, which is attributed to chemically adsorbed oleic acid on the surface.Photocatalytic activity of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy.
(a)(b)


## 3.1. Structure, Phase, and Morphology of Catalyst

The XRD patterns of the powders obtained in the KOH and oleic acid mixed methanol solution followed by calcinations at 300°C in air for 1 h are shown in Figure3. All diffraction peaks can be assigned to the perovskite-type structure having cubic symmetry according to JCPDS no.79-0176. It can be seen that the lattice constant slightly increased by an increase in the Ta content, indicating that Ta5+ was incorporated into the Ti4+ site of SrTiO3, since the ionic radius of six coordinated Ta5+ (0.064 nm) is larger than that of Ti4+ (0.0605 nm) but much smaller than that of Sr2+ (0.118 nm).XRD patterns (a) and lattice constant (b) of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy.
(a)(b)Figure4 shows the TG-DTA profiles of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 (x=0.05). The sample showed three steps of weight losses. The first step of weight loss of ca. 2.4% up to 200°C may be due to the evaporation of adsorbed water and methanol. The second step weight loss around 10.3% up to 700°C may be due to the decomposition of organics. The exothermic peak around 287.4°C may be attributed to the oxidation of organics adsorbed on the catalyst. The third step of weight loss around 12.7% up to 1000°C may be due to the elimination of other more stable elements such as OH-, N3-, and carbon doped in the lattice of the perovskite structure.Figure 4
TG-DTA profiles of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy (x=0.05).The BET-specific surface area, particle size, and Ta/Ti and Ti/Sr atomic ratio determined by EDX analysis of the products are listed in Table1. The particle sizes decreased and the specific surface areas increased with an increase in Ta content. It was found that the Ta/Ti atomic ratios determined were almost identical to those added in the starting solution. However, the atomic ratios of Ti/Sr in the samples of x=0 and 0.02 were lower than the initial ones. This may be due to the experimental error in EDX analysis.Table 1
Specific surface area, particle size, and Ti/Sr and Ta/Ti atomic ratios determined by EDX analysis of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy.
x in the initial solutionParticle size* (nm)S.S.A (m2/g)EDX AnalysisTi/SrTa/Tix=019.651.00.890x=0.0219.655.00.900.016x=0.0518.155.60.920.049x=0.1017.268.90.900.102*determined by Scherrer’s method.The morphologies of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 formed by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method are shown in Figure 5. The average diameter was about 20 nm. This value agrees with the particle sizes calculated by Scherrer’s equation (see Table 1), indicating the particles were single crystals. The crystal size of SrTiO3 slightly decreased with an increase in Ta content. It can also be seen that the agglomeration of the particles was promoted by the decrease in the crystallite size.TEM images of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy, (a) x=0, (b) x=0.05, and (c) x=0.1.
(a)(b)(c)


## 3.2. Diffuse Reflectance and PL Spectra

Figure6 shows the absorption spectra of the samples of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3. All samples showed absorption edges around 380–390 nm corresponding to the band gap energy of SrTiO3 and also have new absorption edges around 400–500 nm. The absorption around 400–500 nm may be attributed to the generation of a new band gap by nitrogen-doping. The absorption in the range of 400–500 nm increased with an increase in Ta content, indicating that the nitrogen doping was improved by codoping with Ta5+.Figure 6
Diffuse reflectance spectra of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy powders (x=0-0.1).Figure7 shows the PL spectra of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 with variation of Ta content. All measurements were carried out at room temperature and the samples were excited by UV light at 254 nm. The samples exhibited peaks at 372, 400, 453, and 470 nm. The 400 nm and 470 nm bands may be attributed to neutral oxygen vacancies which are some intrinsic oxygen deficiencies in the samples [11]. It can be seen that the peak intensity at 372 nm of the sample with high Ta content (x=0.1) increased, although the peak intensity at 470 nm did not change so much. This may be due to the promotion of recombination of photo-induced electrons and holes.Figure 7
PL spectra of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy powders (x=0-0.1).


## 3.3. XPS Analysis

Figure8 shows the XPS spectra of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 after Ar+ sputtering at 3 kV for 3 min. Figure 8(a) shows the Ti3p peak energy, the peaks at 457.2, 457.5, and 457.5 eV are assigned as Ti3p3/2 of x=0, x=0.05, and x=0.1, respectively. Due to the relatively big difference in ionic size between N3- (r=0.171 nm) and O2- (r=0.140 nm), it was very difficult to substitute the oxygen atom by nitrogen atom. The N1s XPS spectra of the samples are shown in Figure 8(b). The peak around 400 eV and 398 eV may be attributed to the NH3 and N2 adsorbed on the surface and doped nitrogen, respectively [12]. The sample with x=0 did not show the N1s peak at 398 eV, indicating a very low concentration of nitrogen doped in the lattice. Since in a previous paper [5], N-doped SrTiO3 prepared without oleic acid showed the peak at 398 eV clearly, the doping of nitrogen may be depressed in the presence of oleic acid. The depression of nitrogen doping with oleic acid may be due to the surface modification of SrTiO3 by chemically adsorbed oleic acid. In contrast, the sample with x=0.05 showed clear peak at 398 eV, indicating that the nitrogen doping was promoted by codoping with Ta5+. This may be due to the decrease of the oxygen vacancy by codoping of N3- and Ta5+ in a perovskite structure. The sample with x=0.1 showed the broad peak of N1s, although it showed the highest absorption in the visible light region as shown in Figure 6. Figure 8(c) shows the Ta4f spectra of the sample (x=0.05 and 0.1). The peaks of Ta4f7/2 at 21.5, 26.6, 25.7 for the Ta metal, Ta2O5 and Ta doped SrTiO3, respectively, were reported by Varhegyi et al. [13]. The peaks at 25.0 eV and 26.9 eV in Figure 8(c) are characterized as Ta4f7/2 and Ta4f5/2, respectively, indicating that the Ta5+ existed in the lattice. The sample with x=0.1 showed the broad peak of Ta4p3/2 [14]. This indicates that an excess amount of Ta5+ doping might create crystal defects and/or lattice strain which may be the reason why this sample showed broad peak of N1s even though the highest nitrogen doping.X-ray photoemission spectra of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy (x=0,0.05,0.1), Ti2p (a), Ta4p (b), and Ta4f (c).
(a)(b)(c)


## 3.4. Photocatalytic Activity

Figure9 shows the photocatalytic activity of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 (x=0-0.2) for the NO elimination under continuous irradiation by monochromatic lights of 390 nm (UV LED), 445 nm (blue LED), 530 nm (green LED), and 627 nm (red LED) in wavelength. As expected, Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 (x=0.02-0.05) showed excellent photocatalytic activity, even under visible light irradiation (λ=530 nm). The photocatalytic activities of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3 under visible light irradiation (λ=530 nm) changed with variation of the Ta content, that is, the NOx elimination degree increased by doping with small fraction of Ta (x=0.02-0.05), but decreased by doping with an excess amount of Ta. Excess Ta5+ doping might lead to the formation of cation defect and/or reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ for the charge compensation which acts as a recombination site of photo-induced electrons and holes to decrease the photocatalytic activity [15]. These results agree with the PL measurement shown in Figure 7. For the sample of nitrogen-doped SrTiO3 (x=0), the photocatalytic activity in visible light (λ=530 nm) is higher than that of the standard titania (Degussa P25), although nitrogen doping could not be clearly observed by XPS. The higher activity under irradiation of visible light may be partly contributed by the codoped carbon, which is attributed to chemically adsorbed oleic acid on the surface.Photocatalytic activity of SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy.
(a)(b)


## 4. Conclusions

Nanoparticles of ca. 20 nm in diameter of Ta and N codoped SrTiO3, SrTi1-xTaxO3-yNy (x=0,0.02,0.05 and 0.1) were synthesized by solvothermal reactions in KOH and oleic acid mixed methanol solutions using Ti(OC3H7)4, SrCl2·6H2O, TaCl5, and HMT (hexamethylentetramine) as the starting materials. SrTaxTi1-xO3-yNy showed excellent photocatalytic activity for the oxidative destruction of NO under visible light irradiation (λ>530 nm). The photocatalytic activity changed depending on the tantalum content. The optimum Ta content was determined to be x=0.02-0.05.



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*Source: 261420-2010-12-27.xml*