Preparation and performances of nanosized Ta2O5 powder photocatalyst

Nanosized-Ta2O5 powder photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by using sol–gel method via TaCl5 butanol solution as a precursor. Ta2O5 species can be formed under 500 °C via the decomposition of the precursor. The crystalline phase of Ta2O5 powder photocatalyst can be obtained after being calcined above 600 °C for 4 h. The crystal size and particle size of Ta2O5 powder photocatalyst was about 50 nm. A good photocatalytic performance for the degradation of gaseous formaldehyde was obtained for the nanosized-Ta2O5 powder. The Ta2O5 powder formed at 700 °C for 4 h and at 650 °C for 12 h showed the best performance. The calcination temperature and time play an important role in the crystallization and photocatalytical performance of nanosized-Ta2O5 powder.