Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic property of nanosized K–Ta mixed oxides via a sol–gel method

Pyrochlore-type K{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} compound cannot be obtained by a conventional solid-state reaction. Here, we report the synthesis of K{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} and tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB)-type K{sub 6}Ta{sub 10.8}O{sub 30} nanopowders using a facile and low-cost sol-gel method at low temperature. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, TG-DSC, FESEM, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum and XPS. The compound K{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} was formed at 700 {sup o}C and reached complete crystallization at 750 {sup o}C, and decomposed into pure K{sub 6}Ta{sub 10.8}O{sub 30} with the volatilization of K{sub 2}O at 900 {sup o}C. The transformation of K{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} to K{sub 6}Ta{sub 10.8}O{sub 30} is reported for the first time. The band gap of the pure K{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} and K{sub 6}Ta{sub 10.8}O{sub 30} samples was found to be about 4.16 and 3.63 eV, respectively. The as-prepared K{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} sample exhibited an efficient photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of azo dye acid red G (ARG) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP, a typical persistent organic pollutant) solution under UV irradiation. According to the experimental results, the mechanism of the photocatalytic reaction over K{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 6} was discussed.