Synthesis of K₃Ta₃B₂O₁₂ photocatalyst by solution based method and effect of co-catalyst and phase purity to water splitting activity

Abstract

K₃Ta₃B₂O₁₂ is photocatalyst that exhibit relatively high water splitting activity without co-catalyst, was synthesized by various solution methods. Obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Samples synthesized by complex gelation method and polyamide-type polymerizable complex method ware single phase K₃Ta₃B₂O₁₂. Sample synthesized by complex gelation method was tested for water splitting activity, and this sample has little water splitting activity without co-catalyst. When NiO 0.5 wt% as co-catalyst was loaded to samples, hydrogen generated 1600 μmol/h.