Photocatalytic property ofCu_3xLa_1-xTa₇O₁₉ solid solution

Abstract

Photocatalytic properties of compounds containing Cu⁺ ions are interesting since their visible light responses owing to the contribution of the Cu3d orbital to the valence bands are expected. In the present research, the synthesis of Cu_3xLa_1-xTa₇O₁₉ solid solutions and the evaluation of their photocatalytic properties were carried out. Cu_3xLa_1-xTa₇O₁₉ solid solutions except for x=0 showed intense absorption in the visible light region. The Cu_3xLa_1-xTa₇O₁₉ solid solutions showed photocatalytic activities for H2 and O2 evolution in the presence of sacrificial reagents, methanol and silver ions, respectively. Thus, it has been found that the Cu_3xLa_1-xTa₇O₁₉ solid solutions function as visible-light-driven photocatalysts.