Synthesis of nanoparticles of tantalum (V) oxide in presence of D-galactose 3,6 anhydro-L-galactose

In this work tantalum oxide nanoparticles were synthesised by controlled hydrolysis of tantalum ethoxide in presence of a linear polysaccharide (1-3 linked β-D galactapyranose and 1,4 linked 3,6 anyhdro-α-L-galactopyranose). Nanoparticles of 100–600 nm were obtained when the polysaccharide was used. The nanoparticles were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and retrodispersive energy spectroscopy (EDAX).